Continued from last month

We have seen previously that eternal life is a present position and protection to one who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. This is completely by the death of Christ on the Cross. It is not by our good works whether religious or secular (Eph.2:8-9). Eternal life is in the “here” as well as the “hereafter.”

Seeing and believing this wonderful truth, we should not neglect the “effects” that eternal life has on the believer. Are there changes in the attitudes and actions of one who has received eternal life?

First, knowing one has eternal life should have an effect on one’s “personal” life. We have to believe and accept the devastating life of the past. Ephesians 2:1-3 states:

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind: and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

This life before we were saved is called the “old man” in Colossians 3:1. Some of the characteristics of the “old man” are anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication. There are many more too numerous to mention. However, when a person trusts the Lord for salvation, he or she becomes a “new” person in Christ!

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are told that,

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new.”

Notice the emphasis on the “new creation” and that “old things are passed away.” The “old man” has nothing to look forward to but death. The “new man” now has eternal life and looks forward to an eternity in the presence of the Lord! Again, it must be stressed that eternal life is a present possession and should make a great change in our attitudes and actions while we live on this earth.

This realization of present possession of “eternal life” should have an effect on our “spiritual” life as well as our “personal” life although they are closely related. An eternal connection with the Lord should be accompanied by a spiritual communion with Him. Communion basically involves fellowship. Fellowship with whom? 1 John 1:3 states,

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

We must have “communion” with the One who has given us eternal life. This communion or fellowship is through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. (Rom. 8:26-27) Communion involves communication. We have to have God’s eternal life before we can have God’s learning. The Scripture is clear that the “natural” man (devoid of eternal life) cannot understand the truth of God’s Word.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

The realization of our eternal life gives the believer a yearning for learning. Learning more about this wonderful “eternal life” is a wonderful journey! This journey includes communion with the Lord who constantly and consistently loves us. Communion involves worship. One must have “eternal life” before one can worship the eternal God. We are told in Philippians 3:3,

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

This spiritual worship or communion should include:

• Reading and studying God’s Word (2 Tim. 2:15)
  
• Prayer or communicating with God (1 Thess. 5:17)
  
• Fellowshipping with believers (Heb. 10:25)

The full realization that eternal life is a present result of having trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour brings stability and soundness to the child of God. This results in sound values, sound minds, and real security to the believer. Let’s remember that the Scripture says,

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13)