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Eternal Life in the Bible: John 3:16
Is it possible to gain eternal life? It is, and the way to do so is spelled out here: believe in Jesus Christ. Belief is not only the key to eternal life, but to a fulfilling new life here on earth as a follower of Jesus.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV
Topics:
Gospel, Jesus, Salvation, Believe, Eternal Life, For God So Loved The World, Begotten, For God So Loved, I Love You
All Topics
How does one define the word “believeth” in John 3:16? Is this just intellectual acknowledgement that Jesus is the Son of God?
Is this just praying the sinners prayer (which by the way I am unable to locate the Bible)?
Or, could it have something to do with John 3:3-7, must be born again? must be born of water and of the Spirit?
Does the belief that saves = trust and obey?
Can the apostles teachings and Jesus’s own words (Matt. 7:21-23, for example)in other passages of scripture be ignored?
Does the verse say “shall be saved” or does it say “should be saved”? Is there a difference?
Please help me to understand. Thank you.
I think the key is in verses 18-21 of John 3. He explains what belief and unbelief are. With unbelief their deeds were evil and in the dark and with belief their deeds are done in truth and in the light. I think this all points to how you live your life.
I want to add to my previous comment. I feel I was a little simplistic in my answer. I do believe in what Jesus says in 18-21 but I do not think that anyone who lives a “good life” will have eternal salvation. Certain things should be done first. I should have added jn 1:12 to our discussion where it says that those who believe in His name have THE RIGHT to become children of God. Not all will be saved but it is offered to all. as Jesus says in the beginning of Jn 3 in v7 that ye MUST be born again. I do think that the little word must is significant and that anything Jesus says that we MUST do had better be done. I also think Paul in Ro 6:1-13 gives a wonderful explanation of being born again and living a “good life”.
This passage contains the quintessential Bible passage and summary of the Gospel Message that just about everyone knows and what people assume tells us what it means to be a Christian. This is all about who God is, One of Love, and what He does: He loves. This is His indispensable and primary attribute, but that is not just what God is about. Rather, it is a summary of all of His character, not just His one attribute. Love is one of His many characteristics and qualities. This is how His character and Person comes to us, how He loves by not waiting for us to come to Him, because we can’t; rather, He comes to us. God demonstrated His ultimate Love by sending His Son as a sacrifice. His sacrifice included becoming a man, a suffering and dead man, for our benefit. Jesus came into a world that had already condemned itself and rejected God. We all are condemned for judgment because of sin and the refusal to accept God’s way; we rejected Him, His self realization and law. Yet, Christ came to us who are undeserving, offering us His free grace if only we believe and trust in Him.
· God so loved. This is a declaration of God’s great and intense love and His motivation to be involved for humanity and give us unmerited salvation. This is counter cultural to Jews, both then and now, who believe they are the chosen ones and the Gentile world is outside of God’s will and plan. God chose the Israelites to be His beacons and examples of faith to the world. The remedy for the main problem of humanity, which is our sinful nature, God solved through His Son’s work of atonement (Gen. 12:1-3; 22:2, 16; Ex. 34. 6-7; Deut. 7:7-8; Judges 10:16; Psalm 136:1; Isa. 9:6; 16:11; 63:9; Jer. 48:36; Hos. 11:1-11; Matt. 5:44-45; John 1:14, 18; 6:32; 12:47; 2 Cor. 6:18; Rom. 8:32; 1 John 4:9-10; 5:20).
Whoever believes / believeth. This is not just mere intellectual belief, because even the demons know about God and Christ. This belief implies a commitment, a confidence and identification that leads to our trust and obedience, because we are bought by and belong to Christ so we do have real faith Him. This is what produces our changed heart that leads to better choices and actions. This does not mean we will not have doubts or struggles; rather, we realize our place and purpose in Christ to have faith and fruit. The gift of grace is free; however, the condition is that we receive it to make it work, as any gift requires the receipt of it from the person to whom it is being delivered. Thus, the idea that God does it for everyone is true; God’s Son’s power, position, and effectuality to certainty save everyone is available, but not all will be saved, because the condition is that the gift is for those to whom the father gives Jesus (John 6:37-40; 10:14-18; 17:9).
· Eternal life. Meaning our life is timeless; we can have a good and purposeful life now even though our real life, for which we are made, is still to come in eternity. We possess His gift now and forever more so we have fellowship with God both here and now and also forever. We experience a glimpse of this as a Christian in a life of worship that glorifies God because we love Him back and trust Him for our life now. This resonates into eternity; our love for each other, God and us, is eternal (John 1:7; 10:28; 17:3).
see more here:
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=57502&columnid=3803