“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6.23). Note the beautiful words of the apostle Paul as he writes his powerful treatise to the Romans. For five chapters he makes the point of being declared right by faith in Christ Jesus for salvation. Eternal life would be a product of being delivered from sin by and through obedience to that form of doctrine from God Himself (Rom. 6.17). What a blessing to know we will have eternal life if we remain faithful till death (Rev. 2.10).

What is eternal life? Why is it a gift of God?  How can we show God our appreciation for His bountiful gift? Eternal life is simply existing with God forever. After judgment, we will live eternally somewhere. Some will go into everlasting punishment and the righteous into life eternal (Matt. 25.46). Jesus would call this timeframe, “the world to come” (Mark 10.30). Eternal life will be inherited by those who obey God’s Son. This life was promised, given and to be located in God and His Son Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 5.20). Finally, according to the words of Jesus, one must be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead (Lk. 20.35).

What a blessing it will be to see the face of God and the Lamb throughout eternity and to be able to rest from our labors and bask in spiritual security with those who have sought the same things in the previous life. As the faithful in Christ, we will no longer be looking for the mercy of God and eternal life; we will actually be singing praises and being fed from the Tree of Life continually (Rev. 22.1-4). The salvation granted to us is ready to be revealed and it will include Jesus coming in the clouds as He went up before the church of Christ began (1 Pet. 1.5; 9; Lk. 21.27).

Why is eternal life a gift of God? Again, “the wages of sin is death” and because eternal life is given to us, it is therefore a gift of God (Rom. 6.23a). The gift of life is a result from the free gift, which is the grace of God (Rom. 5.15). The very fact God has given us grace is a testament of who He is and what He desires to grant us in the future. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, we have access to the free gift which leads to justification and eternal life (Rom. 5.18). Our Great and Amazing God loved us enough to give us a plan of salvation which ends in eternal existence with Him and the host of faithful ones who trusted in the promises of God in times past.

Before the foundation of the world, God had salvation in His mind and wanted to share that with mankind. Paul would write these words to Titus: “In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…” (Tit. 1.2). God had in His mind our salvation long before Jesus was sent and born of a virgin (Isa. 7.14; 9.1-6). As Christians, we should be grateful God chose us in His Son before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1.4). Jesus Himself would pave the way for us to be delivered from the power of darkness and would be that Lamb slain (1 Pet. 1.17-20). Just more reasons why we should be thankful for the eternal gift of God, which is eternal life.

How can we show our sincere gratitude for the eternal life offered to us as the people of God? We must remember it is according to the promise given to Abraham. As God can never lie, we must trust in His precious promises and seek to work out our salvation according to His blessed will and purpose (Phil. 2.12). God promised eternal life and with that promise we can have assurance of Him keeping His word (1 Jn. 2.25). Therefore, we should love His Son through obedience to His Son’s commands. Jesus would say, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jn. 14.15). God’s precious promises should result in our obedience to the cause of Christ.

In conclusion, we should encourage one another to keep their eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12.2). Let us strive to keep eternal things and ideas in our hearts and minds. Let us choose the good and refuse the evil. Let us love one another and seek the best interest of each other in all things. Finally, let us keep eternal life before us and never compromise the Christ-like mindset we are to have as the people of God. Let God be TRUE.