Eternal Life Is Christ
Gospel Foundation
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—
the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
—1 John 1:1–4 (NKJV)
St. John is not talking about something abstract. He saw, touched, and walked with the Word of Life. And what was revealed? Not just information. Life itself. Eternal life.
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
May the blessing of the Father who calls us and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ who saves us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms us be with us all, that we may hear His word and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Amen.
Eternal Life Is Not Just After Death
Many of us think eternal life begins after we die—when we enter paradise, and await the final resurrection. But let me tell you, that’s not the full story.
Eternal life is not a destination. Eternal life is a Person. And that Person is Jesus Christ.
He is not just the reward—He is the Life.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
—John 17:3 (NKJV)
Knowing Christ is not just knowledge of the mind, but a relationship of love, trust, and unity. That’s why St. Cyril of Alexandria said:
“When the soul knows God in truth, she shares in His immortality, for He is Life itself.”
Sin, the World, and the Victory of the Cross
What is death, then? Death is separation from God. And what causes this separation? Sin.
And where does sin come from? The world—its lies, its temptations, its false joys. But Christ came and overcame all of it.
- He didn’t lie when the world lied.
- He didn’t steal when the high priests were full of greed.
- He was rich in divinity, but He emptied Himself for us.
They crucified Him, not because He sinned, but because He exposed the world.
And the Cross? It’s not just suffering. It is a victory.
“Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33 (NKJV)
St. Athanasius writes: “The death of Christ was the death of death itself.”
So yes—the price is paid. But repentance is not automatic. Salvation is offered, but we must receive it. You can live in a paid house and still die of starvation if you never eat.
A Joyful Life Now – Not Later
I want you to live joyfully—not because life is easy, but because Christ is present.
Life in Him is richer than the world’s pleasures. It is not food, clothes, or laughter on the surface. It is deep joy.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” —Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)
Read your Bible daily. And when you fall, rise again. Return to Him in the mystery of the Eucharist, where we are united to Him mystically. This is eternal life.
St. Irenaeus says: “Our communion with God is life and light. And the loss of that communion is death.”
To be separated from Christ is death itself.
A Story of Life and Death
Let me share with you a story:
There was a Jewish man named Philoxenos. Two Christians came to him—one of them complaining, saying,
“Since I followed Christ, I’ve become poor and hungry.”
The other encouraged him, “Brother, life with Christ is worth more than silver or gold.”
But they went to Philoxenos for advice. He told the one who complained,
“If you deny Christ, you’ll become rich again.”
And then he handed him a crucifix and a spear and said,
“Stab this Christ and deny Him.”
The man did so—and the moment he stabbed the cross, he fell dead. Why? Because to leave Christ is to die.
But that’s not the end. Philoxenos had a blind daughter. He brought the same cross, now pierced, to her. He touched her eyes with it—and immediately, she saw.
He believed.
Christ Raises the Dead Today
Separation from Christ is death. But union with Him is life.
Imagine this: a funeral. People are weeping. And then Christ comes, touches the coffin, and says:
“Young man, I say to you, arise!” —Luke 7:14 (NKJV)
What joy! And this miracle happens daily in our souls. Christ raises the dead parts of us—our cold hearts, our lost hope, our broken dreams—and gives them life.
The Faith of Martha
Remember the words between Jesus and Martha?
“Now Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’” —John 11:21–27 (NKJV)
Martha spoke of a future resurrection. Christ said, “I am”—here, now.
A Simple Practice
- Read the Gospel every day and ask, “Lord, let me touch eternal life in You today.”
- When you fall into sin, don’t delay—rise, confess, and run to the Eucharist.
- Say, “To be with You, Lord, is life. Without You, I die.”
- Teach your children not just about heaven after death—but that eternal life starts when they live with Christ now.
A Word from the Fathers
“Life in Christ is not postponed to the end of time—it is the life of the soul now in union with God. —St. Gregory of Nyssa
“He who loves Christ abides in life. He who departs from Him walks into the grave.” —St. Ephraim the Syrian
May the Lord bless us, transform our hearts and minds, that our homes may stand on the Rock, our hands serve in the harvest, and our hearts long for Heaven. Amen.