Does Free Grace Theology Correctly Interpret Eternal Life?
The Eternal Life of Jesus and the Gift of a Life That Never Ends
Eternal life is a concept often explored in Christian theology, yet its origins and implications can sometimes be misunderstood. While many believe that eternal life is granted to believers, scripture suggests that eternal life is an inherent quality of Jesus, and humans receive a life that never ends through Him. This article delves into the scriptural basis for understanding eternal life as a divine attribute of Christ, and the unending life offered to believers as a gift.
Jesus as the Source of Life
The Gospel of John offers a foundational perspective on Jesus as the source of life. John 1:4 declares, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Similarly, in John 14:6, Jesus asserts, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” These verses emphasize that Jesus possesses life inherently—He is the wellspring from which all life flows. His divine nature allows Him to embody and bestow life to others.
Eternal Life Defined Through Relationship
Eternal life is uniquely tied to Jesus and the relationship believers have with Him. John 17:3 defines eternal life: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” This passage underscores that eternal life is not an independent quality given to humanity but is deeply rooted in a relational knowledge of Jesus and the Father. It is through knowing Him that believers partake in the life He embodies.
The Life That Never Ends
Scripture provides clarity on what believers receive through Jesus. In John 10:28, Jesus promises, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Additionally, 1 John 5:11-12 states, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” These verses reveal that eternal life is not an intrinsic quality of humans but is a gift imparted through union with Jesus. It is His eternal nature that enables believers to experience a life without end.
Eternal Life: A Component of Christology, Not Soteriology
In contrast to the perspective held by proponents of Free Grace Theology, such as those in the Grace Evangelical Society (GES), eternal life is not the essence of saving faith. GES often places eternal life at the core of soteriology, viewing it as the decisive component of salvation. However, a closer examination of scripture reveals that eternal life is not merely a transactional outcome of faith but a foundational attribute of Christ Himself.
Eternal life belongs to the realm of Christology—the study of Christ’s divine nature and work. Jesus declares in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life.” His statement highlights that eternal life is inseparable from His identity as the Son of God. While saving faith brings believers into relationship with Jesus and the life He gives, the essence of salvation lies in the forgiveness of sins, justification by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and reconciliation with God through Christ. The life that believers receive is an outcome of salvation, not its defining element.
By understanding eternal life as a component of Christology rather than soteriology, we preserve the biblical emphasis on Jesus as the life-giving source. This perspective safeguards against reducing salvation to a mere acquisition of benefits, focusing instead on the transformative power of a relationship with the eternal Son of God.
The Necessity of a Created and Sustained Cosmos
To further illustrate our dependence on Jesus, consider the reality that human existence—both now and after the resurrection—requires a world, or cosmos, to inhabit. Life cannot exist in isolation; it needs an environment designed to support and sustain it. This truth is evident in Jesus’ promise in John 14:2-3: “In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.”
This passage reveals that even after the resurrection, believers will dwell in a place specifically prepared by Jesus. The eternal life given to us is not an autonomous existence but one that relies on Jesus’ provision. Only He, as Creator, can provide the cosmos and all that is necessary for life to flourish eternally. This dependency underscores the fact that eternal life is not something Jesus gives us as an independent attribute. If He did, it would also require granting us the divine ability to create and sustain life and the cosmos—a power that belongs solely to Him as the eternal Son of God.
The continued existence of creation, sustained by Jesus, emphasizes our eternal reliance on Him. Colossians 1:17 declares, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” This truth extends to the new heavens and new earth, which will be the eternal dwelling place of the redeemed. It is through Jesus’ sustaining power that believers can live forever in His presence.
Jesus’ Divine Eternity
The eternal quality of Jesus is highlighted in Revelation 1:8, where He declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” This proclamation affirms that Jesus exists outside time and possesses eternal life as a natural attribute of His divinity. Humans, on the other hand, are temporal beings who are given a share in His unending life through their connection to Him.
Conclusion
Through scripture, it is evident that eternal life is a divine quality of Jesus Christ, not a characteristic that humans possess on their own. Instead, believers receive a life that never ends—a precious gift made possible by their relationship with Jesus. Furthermore, the very cosmos in which believers live eternally is sustained and provided by Jesus Himself, reaffirming our dependence on Him. This understanding highlights the unique and transformative power of union with Christ, through whom the promise of life everlasting is fulfilled.
by Devin Andres
