John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
This is probably the most recognized scripture today but it leaves us with questions. What is life? What is eternal life? Why does it matter? Of course, these questions all boil down to one of the oldest ever asked, “What is the meaning of life.” Many religions have presented their answers. But as a Christian, I believe in one. So, what is life? A glance in the dictionary offers definitions like: the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. The existence of an individual human being or animal. The period between the birth and death of a living thing, especially a human being. The period of existence.
The last one is my favorite. Existence is life or living. Now, let's jump to scripture, specifically John 11:25: “Jesus said to her, “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.” and John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” You probably see where I’m going with this but let's look at these verses in their original meaning. Both verses are in Greek and they both use the word ζωή (zóé - dzo-ay) Zóé means: life, both of physical (present) and spiritual (particularly future) existence. With all of this in mind, it’s fair to say that Jesus is life, or Jesus is physical and spiritual existence. Since we are alive and definitely exist, then we have life because of Jesus. Genesis 2:7: “…then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”
What is eternal life? Now, we know what life is but what about the word “eternal” that Jesus used in John 3:16? The Greek word here is aiónios (ī-ō’-nē-os). Aiónios means: eternal or unending. So in this scripture, Jesus says whoever believes in Him will have unending existence.
So, what does it matter? The Bible says that because of sin, we fell into darkness, and through that darkness, death emerged. God sent His Son to be the light in a world submerged in darkness. Without His light, without believing in Him we are already condemned to Hell. Amazingly, the plan of salvation is a simple one.
Romans 10:5-13: For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
This is the hope for us. Believe in God, follow His Word, gain eternal life, and when this world is done, reunite with those gone before.
Revelation 21:1-4: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”