NOTE ON ETERNAL LIFE

Eternal life is a condition of blessing for man—a condition of manhood which God purposed and promised before the ages of time, Titus 1: 2. It appeared on earth when Christ became man, and was manifested in Him. Christ incarnate was the Word of life. It is now set forth in its fulness in Christ glorified, 1 John 5: 20. He is eternal life. It is the gift of God, given to us in His Son, 1 John 5: 11, 12. For us it is on resurrection ground, and is communicated to us in the gift of the Spirit, John 20: 22; 4: 14; 7: 37, 39. It will be realised fully when we reach Christ where He is in glory, though enjoyed now in the Spirit, Titus 1: 2; Jude 21.

If it be, as we have said, a state of blessing which God purposed for man, it could not be known until Christ became man. It is important to remark that what is spoken of in 1 John 1: 1, 2, is what had been seen, heard and handled by the apostles, hence what they were competent to bear testimony to. “From the beginning” in this passage is the beginning of the word of life, of Christ incarnate. He was such a one as was with the Father, as Man. The Son was ever with the Father no doubt; but here was a new relationship for man in which eternal life consists. This agrees with John 1: 14-18; 17: 3. We are brought into this condition through grace “in his Son Jesus Christ”. “In his Son” shews that it is the life of sonship. “God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son”.

From Helps for the Poor of the Flock vol 16 (1911)