Eternal vs Everlasting Life

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
- John 3:14-16

Many are faithfully expectant of eternal life, but what they are actually called to is an everlasting life.

What is the difference between eternal and everlasting life? In John 3:14-16, the same Greek word is used in both instances. It can be translated as either eternal or everlasting life. But why repeat the same point? Because it is not the same.

Since the same Greek word is used, as is often the case in the Bible, you have to use context clues to determine what the author actually means. It is no different than if I said the following: I hope you have a full life (meaning: many years of life) and a full life (meaning: a meaningful life during the years you have). “Full” in this context has two meanings. You can only determine what I mean if you take in the complete context of our conversation.

This is the type of usage we have in John. Where the Greek word means both eternal and everlasting. But what is the difference? Context is key.

The first usage of the word is in conjunction with Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness when the Israelites were dying from venomous snake bites after rebelling against God. (Numbers 21:4-9) He affixed a bronze serpent on a staff, and anyone who looked to it in belief was saved.

Moses believed the Word of God and his faith was accredited to him as righteousness. Although for Moses the Savior had not yet come, he believed in the Word and placed his faith in the promise of eternal life. An eternal life that was in the future and would be obtained after his death. Christ being “lifted up” on the cross was the satisfaction of Moses’ faith, and thus all who believed in the Word of God for eternal life.

However, those of us on this side of the cross know the Word of God as Jesus Christ. He was lifted up as the serpent, but was a final and perfect sacrifice. All those who believe in Him have everlasting life. Meaning a new life in Christ that begins now and continues through eternity.

This part of Christianity is missed often. I know of many Christians who feel like they are on there own in this world, but expectant of an eternal life to come, much like Moses. This view does not align with scripture and robs many Christians of the extraordinary life they have in Christ.

Unlike Moses, we are able to abide in Christ. We are in Him, and He is in us and desires to live through us. The Holy Spirit is joined with us and cannot be separated. Our hope is not in a future promise, bur rather a promise with a future. Our eternity is meant to begin now and be everlasting.

I’m humbled by the many days I walked (and sometime continue to walk) this world alone under my own strength. What a shame of lost time I have allowed to be captured by selfishness. I have the living Lord who desires to walk with me, work through me and be a part of every moment of my life. Every moment should be an eternal moment. Yet, how often I allow it to be a temporal moment going it alone.

For the Christian, eternity is not something in the future. It is now and is meant to be everlasting. If we could only grasp this truth, oh, how our lives would change!

This week I’m focused on making every moment an eternal moment. Living life in the everlasting promise of Christ. Inviting Him to join me, work through me and make every moment possible an eternal moment. I know I won’t get it all right, but every next step is an opportunity to walk in the eternal, if I just open myself up to Him working in me. Eternity started the moment we believed in Christ and it is everlasting!

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