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What Are The Characteristics of Eternal Life?
What Are The Characteristics of Eternal Life?
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ETERNAL LIFE BEGINS IN THIS LIFE.
Paul contrasts our earthly bodies ("earthly tent") and our future resurrection bodies ("an eternal
body made for us by God himself and not by human hands"). Paul clearly states that our present
bodies make us groan, but when we die we will not be spirits without bodies. We will have new
bodies that will be perfect for our everlasting life.
Paul wrote as he did because the church at Corinth was in the heart of Greek culture, and
many believers had difficulty with the concept of bodily resurrection. Greeks did not believe in a
bodily resurrection. Most held that the real person was the soul, imprisoned in a physical body
and that the afterlife was something that happened only to the soul. They believed that at death
the soul is released-there is no immortality for the body, and the soul enters an eternal state. But
the Bible teaches that the body and soul are inseparable.
The Holy Spirit within us is our guarantee that God will give us everlasting bodies at the
Resurrection (2 Corinthians 1:22). We have eternity in us now! This truth should give us great
courage and patience to endure anything we might experience.
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ETERNAL LIFE IS OURS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
After many of Jesus’ followers had deserted him, he asked the twelve disciples if they were also
going to leave. Peter replied, “To whom would we go?” In his straightforward way, Peter
answered for all of us-there is no other way. Though there are many philosophies and self-styled
authorities, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life and
miss Christ, the only source. Stay with him, especially when you are confused or feel alone.
BIBLE READING: Luke 18:18-30
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good teacher, what
should I do to get eternal life?” (Luke 18:18)
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facts. You can know that you have eternal life if you believe God’s truth. If you aren’t sure that
you are a Christian, ask yourself: Have I honestly committed my life to him as my Savior and
Lord? If so, you know by faith that you are indeed a child of God.
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