Lesson 8

Another lesson we can easily extract from John 3:16 is covered in the last half of the verse.Those who believe in Jesus will not perish but are promised eternal life. As a Biblist I believe this verse to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It is, after all, a cornerstone of Christianity that the followers of Jesus will gain eternal life. The disciples who followed Jesus knew that eternal life could only come through him. 

John 6:67-69 New Living Translation

67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

Here are a few other verses out of many that describe eternal life comes only through Jesus. Only those who join with him will get to live.

1 John 5:11 King James Version

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 Timothy 1:16 Living Bible

16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as an example to show everyone how patient he is with even the worst sinners, so that others will realize that they, too, can have everlasting life.

1 Timothy 6:12 Good News Translation

12 Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses.

Gaining the promise of eternal life that Jesus offered was revolutionary for believers in the first century. Having faith in his promise freed them from the fear of death that would come, for they knew it would only be temporary. Believers trusted the promise was true because Jesus lived out the example for them. He lived, he died, and he rose to life again. Believers can be sure this same process will deliver them into immortality.

How does this promise of a future eternal life help you cope with troubles in your life, or does it?