The concept of eternal life is one that has intrigued theologians, scholars, and believers for centuries. While many discussions tend to focus on the notion of eternal life as simply life without end, the Bible offers a richer, more profound understanding.
Eternal life isn’t merely about endless existence—it’s about the quality of that existence.
The Greek term most frequently translated as “eternal” is aionios, and when combined with zoe (meaning life), it paints a picture of life that encompasses both quantity and quality. In this blog, we will explore the deeper dimensions of eternal life, particularly its relevance within the framework of our current existence on earth.
Key points
- Eternal life is the nature of God
- Divine dance of eternal life within a believer
- The Administration of Eternal Life
- The Harmony of the Trinity and the Church
- Conclusion
Eternal life is the nature of God
Eternal life, as described in the Bible, is inherently tied to the nature of God Himself. It is a supernatural quality of life that transcends human nature and is, therefore, something that must be received as a divine gift, (John 17:2; 10:28) and as a supernatural act above what we can manufacture. In fact, eternal life is the very nature and attribute of our Triune God. All the three persons in the Trinity are eternal. God, the Father is eternal (Gen 21:33, Ps 90:1- 4, Deut 33:27, Is 9:6, 43:13, Rev 1:8), Jesus is eternal (John 1, 8:5-8, Is 9:6, Col 1:17, 1 John 1:1, Rev 1:17- 18, Heb 7: 3, Ps 110:4), and Holy Spirit is eternal (Heb 9:14).
Divine dance of eternal life within a believer
Contrary to the common understanding that only the Holy Spirit resides in a believer, all the three persons in the trinity dwell in a believer, at salvation.
- Father lives in the believer: John 14:23 makes it clear that the Father also comes and lives in the believer.
- The Son, Christ lives in the believer. Moreover, according to Col 1:27 and Galatians 2:20, the Son also lives in us.
- Holy Spirit lives in the believer. As for the Holy Spirit, when a person accepts Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells in us (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16, Eze 36:27, 2 Tim 1:14, Eph 5:18, Rom 8:11, Ga 4:6). Moreover, the Spirit stays in the believer forever (John 14:16).
It is wonderful to see that even in our hearts, the Trinity dwells in complete harmony. The great writers of Eastern Christianity referred to the dynamic nature of this relationship with a Greek word perichoresis. This word has no literal English translation. Perhaps the best colloquial or popular rendering would be ”dance.” (Peri – around; Chorea – dance; Perichorea – To dance around). Perichoresis is the divine dance of perfect love occurring eternally between the Persons of the Trinity.
The Administration of Eternal Life
There are subtle differences in the administration of the life within the Trinity, and in the life that each holds. Within the frame of OUR time, we see the Father as the source of life, and he granted the Son to have life in Himself (John 1:4, 4:10, 5:26,11:25, Ps 36:9), and the Son decides whom to give it to (John 5:21), and the Holy Spirit administers the giving of that life (John 6:63, Rom 8:10,11).
The Father as the Source of Life
- John 5:26: “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.”
- Psalm 36:9: “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light, we see light.”
These verses affirm that the Father is seen as the ultimate source of life, with the ability to grant life to others, including the Son.
The Son as the Giver of Life
- John 1:4: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”
- John 5:21: “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so, the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.”
- John 11:25: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’”
These verses highlight that the Son, Jesus Christ, has life in Himself, a life given by the Father, and that He has the authority to give this life to others.
The Holy Spirit as the Administrator of Life
- John 6:63: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”
- Romans 8:10-11: “But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
These verses show that the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in imparting and sustaining the life that comes from the Father through the Son.
Any attempt to explain the Trinity and its administration can only capture a glimpse of its glorious nature, limited by our finite minds. However, let’s consider the analogy of the Sun, a source of light and energy for us. In a similar way, God the Father can be likened to the source, while Jesus is the expression of that divine nature (Heb 1:3). Then, the Spirit can be compared to the photons that carry life. When the Spirit interacts with us, it enables us to perceive spiritual truths and realities, similar to the way our eyes process light photons to create images for our brain to interpret.
The Trinity works in perfect harmony in the administration of eternal life. None of the persons of the Trinity can work independent of each other. They have assigned roles and administrations, that work together for our good.
The Harmony of the Trinity and the Church
The Trinity works in perfect harmony to administer eternal life, with each Person fulfilling a specific role that complements the others. This divine harmony is a model for how the Church should function. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in perfect unity, so too should the Church operate as a unified body, each member fulfilling their unique role in harmony with the others.
This unity is essential for the Church to effectively fulfill its mission. When believers work together, drawing on the eternal life within them, they reflect the divine nature and purpose of God. The Church, therefore, is called to mirror the harmonious relationship of the Trinity, working in unity to bring God’s love and life to the world.
Conclusion
Eternal life is a profound and multifaceted gift from God, one that encompasses both the quality and duration of our existence. It is the life of the Triune God dwelling within us, enabling us to live in harmony with one another, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in perfect unity. As believers, we are called to reflect this divine harmony in our lives and in the Church, working together to bring the light of Christ to the world.
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