Anchor My Faith

Life

Scripture: John 3:16

Today our lesson will cover the next word in our collection of eight words, the word life; the last word in “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). What does it mean to have eternal life?

The last part of John 3:16 is “whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Some translations say, “will not perish” in place of “should not perish.” The “will not perish” assumes belief that produces evidence of your belief. Consider James 2:19: “You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear” (NET). You may say you believe but still perish.

Those who truly believe will not perish but have eternal life. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all” (John 6:63a ESV). When God the Father causes spiritual birth (1 Peter 1:3 ESV) the Spirit gives life “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11 ESV). The Father causes, the Spirit gives and the life given by the Spirit is in the Son. Eternal life then implies an eternal connection with the Son. Spiritual birth permanently unites us with Jesus the source of life.

Assurance of eternal life is found in John 11:25 – 26 where Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (ESV). What a living hope we have as believers.

Prayer

Father, you gave your Son to die so that we could live. Lord Jesus, thank you for dying under the wrath of God in our place as the Lamb of God. Thank you for bearing our sin and our punishment. Thank you for providing forgiveness and removing the fear of death and replacing it with a living hope. Thank you for such love for us.