This lesson examines the fact that we already have eternal life and examines the argument that since we have it, and since it is everlasting, we cannot lose it. First we will look at this argument, then we will explain why it is unsound.

Scriptural fact "The witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life..."

(1Jn 5:11-12, see also Jhn 3:16).

False argument By definition, what comes to an end proves not to have been everlasting. Therefore, once God has given someone eternal life, that person cannot possibly lose it --because if they were to lose it, they would have had eternal life only for a time instead of forever, so it would prove not to have been eternal in the first place. Since eternal life cannot come to and end, once you have it you must always have it and cannot possibly lose it.

Eternal Life Given But Not Begun

The argument above would be a good sound argument provided that the Bible statement "God has given us eternal life" meant the same thing as "eternal life has already begun for us". However, these two statements are not equivalent. The Bible statements, "God has given us eternal life" and "He who has the Son has eternal life" (1Jn 5:11-12) do not imply that our eternal life has already begun.

I can understand that you might think that they do, and it's my job in this lesson to point out that they don't. I'll start with an illustration. This doesn't prove anything, of course, but it does help you to understand the point I will try to prove.

Imagine I said, "On my birthday I was given a holiday in Spain". That would not imply that my holiday in Spain began on my birthday, would it? What it does imply, and what you would most likely infer, is that on my birthday I was promised a holiday in Spain, that the holiday had already been arranged, and that I had been given the tickets. You would definitely not think that the holiday began the moment I was given it. Of course it's possible I was whisked off to Spain on my birthday, but it's also possible that I was given the holiday on my birthday and it began some time later.

The Bible shows clearly that we have have been given eternal life, but it has not begun yet. Note the following points.

1. Eternal Life Does Not Begin Until the Second Coming

Before eternal life begins for us, the second coming of Christ must take place, "Then the righteous shall go away into eternal life." (Mtt 25:31-33,46). This shows clearly that the righteous have not gone into eternal life yet, and will not do so until Jesus comes.

2. The Attributes of Eternal Life Are Not Yet With Us

We know that eternal life is still future, because as yet we lack many of its attributes. For example:

3. God Has Given Us Eternal Life As a Promised Inheritance

We have been given eternal life in the form of a PROMISE, in the same way that some children might become an heir to a fortune which is then held in trust for them until a future day. The children look forward to that day and wait for it in HOPE. Meanwhile three things hold true:

• They rightly regard the inheritance as theirs.
• They already begin to receive some benefits and grants.
• They diligently comply with all conditions laid down.

That's how we should regard the blessed hope God has given us. (1Jhn 2:24-25, Titus 1:2, Rom 8:24-25, 1Pet 1:3-6).

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