Jesus
What Is Eternal Life?
Eternal life, in Jesus’ own words, is not merely unending time but a quality of life: knowing God and being known by him, beginning now and lasting beyond death. Jesus offered it as a gift to those who trust him, grounding the Christian hope that love, and the person, are not finally swallowed by death.
How Jesus described it
Life that begins now
For Jesus, eternal life is not only a future reward but a present relationship, a life with God that starts the moment someone turns to him and continues through death into resurrection. It is why Christians can grieve with hope: they believe death is a doorway, not a wall.
Frequently asked questions
- What did Jesus say eternal life is?
- In John 17:3 Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God: 'that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.' It is relationship with God, not merely endless time.
- How does someone receive eternal life?
- According to Jesus, by trusting in him (John 3:16; 11:25-26). Christians hold it is a gift of grace, received by faith, that begins now and continues beyond death into resurrection.
Come and meet him yourself
You do not have to take anyone’s word for it, ours least of all. The living Christ is not an argument to be won but a Person to be met, and he still draws near to everyone who comes to him with an open heart. Read his own words, watch what he does, and see. The Gospel of John is a gentle place to begin, and it costs you nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.
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