Speaking of his sheep, Jesus said "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ... and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:10, 28). It is the Lord's pleasure to irrevocably give to his people a life of amazing quality (abundant!) and quantity (eternal!). Jesus would also describe this gift, saying, "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (17:3).

The Bible makes it clear: God gives eternal life to all who believe in Jesus for it. It is a gracious gift unwrapped by faith. But eternal life is far more than just eternity in paradise with the Lord, though it certainly is that. Eternal life is the present possession of every believer. What does that mean? How does that work? In what ways should this gift change the way Christians live their lives in the now as they wait for the hereafter?

This conversation is based on the sermon "God's Love Known and Shown" (1 John 5:1–21).