“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).
Two days ago, I stated that eternal life starts at the moment you are born again. But how can that be, given the fact that all humans die?
Jesus addresses this question when visiting the grave of a beloved friend. He is fully aware of the horror and reality of death. And yet, He says that everyone who believes in Him shall never die. How can this be?
Whoever believes in God, has passed from death to life already (see John 5:24). He has been freed from the curse of sin, that has been causing death since humanity’s fall, and therefore death has lost its grip on him.
When a believer dies, it is just his body that dies. His spirit goes on living with the Lord, only in a more glorious way than ever before! Being away from the body means being at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Therefore, not even death interrupts our eternal life.
“O death, where is your victory? … Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
Do you believe in Jesus? If yes, what does it mean to you that He promises you eternal life?