(Soteriology)

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

How Do Humans Attain Eternal Life?

Eternal life is a Gift from God, granted through Faith.

The scriptures teach: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:28

What Is Faith?

Jesus is our Faith, He is the Founder and perfector of the Faith we receive. Even when in us, Faith remains in Him, becasue Faith is ONLY in Him. Faith doesnt come from human beings.

Read My Article What Is Faith?

Who Gets To Receive Eternal Life?

Only God’s people will receive eternal life… God promises eternal life ONLY to those who persevere …

The Gift of Eternal Life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, Who is Himself: “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

Salvation is only available to those who have been chosen by God for salvation, which is also known as the doctrine of “election.” This belief is based on several biblical passages, including John 10:27-28 which states that “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” & Romans 8:29-30 states: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”

Ephesians 1:4-5 – “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…he predestined us for adoption to sonship.”

John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit…”

2 Timothy 1:9 – “has saved us and called us to a Holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace.”

 Our election for Salvation depends not on our own effort, nope, No human merits or efforts can secure our spot in eternity, but solely God’s mercy and calling. This demonstrates that salvation ultimately comes from God’s initiative, not ours.

What Is Eternal Life?

The Greek word “aiónios” translated as “eternal” implies a qualitative aspect beyond mere longevity or perpetuity in time. Actually, “time” is a construct God Created, therefore He is outside of what we perceive as “time”.

Eternal life refers to a higher spiritual mode of being that supersedes our mortal, time-bound existence.

Eternal Life...

… transcends created time: While eternal life involves living forever, the concept of “forever” is not confined within the boundaries of the temporal continuum that God created. Eternal life denotes an existence outside of time where past, present, and future converge.

… exists in the eternal Now: Eternal life involves participation in God’s eternity, characterized by an eternal present where there is no concept of “before” or “after”. The eternal Now experienced by the redeemed transcends sequential moments and flowing years.

… bestows a higher divine nature: Eternal life, initiated in the present age, reflects the impartation of God’s immortal, incorruptible life, and nature to believers.

The born again have “eternal life” in the fullest sense by virtue of sharing in the divine nature, it has nothing to do with the construct of “time”.

What does Salvation save us from?

We are saved by God from His own wrath and condemnation. Christ took the punishment we deserved, absorbing God’s wrath in our place, satisfying His justice. God showed mercy by providing His own Son to die on our behalf and offer forgiveness to believers, satisfying His mercy. We are saved not only from God’s judgment, but from the Judge Himself. John Owen stated it well, “God saves sinners from Himself.”

… saved by God from the power of sin: According to the Bible, God saves us from the power and penalty of sin by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus’ crucifixion was the ultimate expression of God’s love for us, as He took the punishment we deserved upon Himself. Through this salvation, we are freed from the hold that sin has on us and given the ability to live as new creations, with a heart that desires to please and glorify God.

… saved from Eternal Hell/ Damnation: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” – John 3:18

… saved from Spiritual death – We are born spiritually dead because of sin, but through salvation we are made spiritually alive in Christ. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” – Ephesians 2:1

… saved from bondage to fear – Salvation allows us to live with confidence as God’s adopted children, no longer in fear or uncertainty. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”” – Romans 8:15

Is There Life After Death?

Yes.

When our physical bodies die, our spirits live on eternally. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” So our spirits go back to God.

For those who have retained Jesus as their Savior, there is eternal life in Heaven with God. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Heaven will be a place of perfect joy, peace, and no more suffering. Revelation 21 describes heaven as a place with no more crying or death.

We will receive a glorified resurrection body. Our spirit will be reunited with a perfect, immortal body. This ius not a material body, as we know a body, this is eterially, this is the true, the real, the unseen.

Corinthians 15 talks about our “spiritual body” in =Heaven.

Where Do Our Souls Go When We Die Then?

Heaven – … is for those who have been given the Gift of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Our spirits will be with the Lord in Heaven in a perfect state of joy and peace. …OR

Hell – … is for those who have noot received Jesus as their Savior will have their Soul be separated from God’s presence.

What Is Heaven Like?

• No more suffering or pain (Revelation 21:4)
• Eternal joy in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11)
• Fulfillment of desires (Psalm 37:4)
• Reunion with loved ones who have died in faith (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

What Is Hell Like?

• Eternal separation from God’s goodness (2 Thessalonians 1:9)
• Unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43)
• Darkness and grief (Jude 1:13)
• Conscious torment (Luke 16:23)

What Is The Purpose Or Value Of Eternal Life?

Our entire purpose is to glorify God. Everything God does, He ultimately does for His name’s sake, for his glory:

Psalm 19:1–4 
"... The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork... Day to day pours out speech and night to night...."
Psalm 23:3
"... He restores my Soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake..."

READ MORE ON GLORIFYING THE FATHER BEING OUR SOLE PURPOSE: 🔗 Psalm 23:3, Ezekiel 20:9, Ezekiel 36:22-32, John 8:50, John 12:27-28,John 17:1, Romans 1:5, Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 1:15-20).

Evidence Of Salvation?

If someone who consistently shows love and compassion, and goes out of their way to help others, then their “fruit” is sweet. But if someone who talks a lot about what they believe, and then doesn’t practice what they preach, their “fruit” is sour.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You’ll know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” –

Mat. 7:15-20

It can be tempting to judge others based on what we observe or experience, but we don’t truly know their relationship with Christ. Only God knows one’s heart and purpose. So we should practice grace and mercy towards others. We don’t know the plans God has either, so when it comes to judging another’s salvation: Keep your mouth shut.

Should WE Judge Our Own Salvation?

Absolutely, we MUST!!!

Jesus instructs us to: “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” -Matthew 7:5

When should we Judge Others Salvation?

NEVER!!! The Bible does not directly instruct us to judge another person’s Salvation. Scripture consistently reminds us that God alone knows the heart and can judge a person’s eternal destiny. As followers of Christ, our focus should be on our own relationship with God and living out His teachings.

Jesus teaches, in Matthew 7:1-2, saying, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judge…”

In Romans 14:4, the Apostle Paul advises against judging fellow believers, stating, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”

Instead of passing judgment on others, the Bible encourages us to love and support one another, bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and treating others with grace and mercy (Matthew 7:12).

Our role is to share the good news of salvation, pray for others, and humbly offer guidance and support when needed, always with love and compassion.

How Can I Know I’m Saved?

This list is for honest sel-reflecrion, not diagnosing “others” as we can’t know the thoughts of others, If you check most of these off, you can be sure you arfe Saved, but again, only YOU & GOD know the Truth. These are the external manifestations of the inner state of the a person. Only you and God truly know the answers. If you are saved, you will:

• You will rely upon Christ alone, as you Knwo Him and He Knows you.
• You will love God more than before.
• You will have a greater sense of your sinfulness and your deep need for a Savior, more and more.
• You will naturally want to confess your sins daily and grow in repentance.
• You will seek to be obedient to the Word of God.
• You will have new desires and affections for Christ.
• You will grow in the Wisdom of the gospel and dependence upon Christ.
• You will desire to be separated from the ways of the world.
• You will have a permanent desire to have fellowship with Christ and with other believers.
• You will grow and produce Spiritual fruit, sometimes faster than others and sometimes way slower than others, but there will be growth.
• God will work in your life to conform you into the image of Christ.