How Can We Have Eternal Life through Jesus Christ?

11/10/2025 30 min

Listen "How Can We Have Eternal Life through Jesus Christ?"

Episode Synopsis

Deep Dive into How Can We Have Eternal Life through Jesus Christ?Eternal life is defined not as an extension of existence, but as the gift of covenantal communion with the triune God through the Mediator, Jesus Christ. Scripture reveals the fundamental human problem is spiritual death, guilt by imputation from Adam’s transgression, and total depravity, leaving sinners helpless and hostile toward God’s law. The solution is the Reformed gospel thesis: eternal life is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.Christ, the only Mediator, is revealed in three offices: Prophet (declaring truth), Priest (offering Himself for reconciliation and interceding), and King (ruling and defending His people). Salvation rests entirely on Christ’s finished work, including His active obedience (fulfilling the law) and passive obedience (bearing the curse). The glory of salvation rests on imputation: our sin to Christ, and His perfect righteousness reckoned to the believer.Justification is the first benefit flowing from union with Christ; it is a once-for-all forensic verdict declaring the ungodly righteous, received by faith alone. Faith is the non-meritorious instrument—the empty hand—that receives Christ, and it is inseparably joined with repentance. Following justification, the Spirit applies adoption (new filial status) and sanctification (Spirit-wrought holiness).Good works are the necessary fruit and evidence of this new life, never the root or ground of acceptance. They must be commanded by God’s Word, performed in faith, and aimed at God’s glory. God’s moral law serves the believer primarily as a guide for grateful obedience, having been freed from its condemning power. This eternal life is nurtured along the churchly path by the ordinary means of grace: the Word preached, the sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper), and prayer. Believers enjoy true assurance, which rests on the objective gospel promises, the internal testimony of the Spirit, and the evidences of grace (obedient fruit). God preserves His saints, ensuring their perseverance until this life is consummated in resurrection glory and unbroken communion with Him.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730