Vida eterna: o que significa e como alcançá-la na Bíblia

O que significa vida eterna na Bíblia

Vida eterna, na Bíblia, não significa apenas uma existência sem fim: significa conhecer a Deus e viver em comunhão com Ele já no presente. Não se trata só da quantidade de tempo após a morte, mas da qualidade de uma vida reconciliada com o Criador, iniciada no momento em que alguém crê em Jesus Cristo.

3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. (John 17:3)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Um dom gratuito, não uma conquista humana

As Escrituras afirmam que ninguém conquista a vida eterna por merecimento, herança familiar ou esforço próprio. O pecado gerou a separação entre a humanidade e Deus, trazendo a condenação; por isso, a vida eterna é concedida como uma dádiva imerecida por meio de Jesus.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 6:23)

11 The testimony is this: that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.(1 John 5:11)

16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.(1 Timothy 1:16)

25 This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.(1 John 2:25)

Uma certeza para o presente, não apenas para o futuro

A vida eterna não é algo incerto que se descobre apenas após o túmulo. O ensino bíblico mostra que quem ouve a palavra de Cristo e confia Naquele que O enviou já passou da morte para a vida espiritual, permanecendo seguro sob o cuidado divino.

24 "Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 25 Most certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. (John 5:24,25)

36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."(John 3:36)

47 Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. (John 6:47)

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27,28)

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.(1 John 5:13)

O caminho estreito e a perseverança da fé

Receber essa nova vida implica renunciar à autossuficiência e seguir a Jesus. As Escrituras tratam esse discipulado como um caminho estreito, no qual o cristão é chamado a combater o bom combate e permanecer firme diante das dificuldades deste mundo.

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."(John 4:14)

68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.(John 6:68)

13 "Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.(Matthew 7:13,14)

12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.(1 Timothy 6:12)

25 Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.(Hebrews 7:25)

10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.(1 Peter 5:10)

A consumação e o fim do sofrimento

A plenitude da vida eterna se manifestará na ressurreição e na nova criação. As dores, lutos e fraquezas do tempo presente não têm a palavra final: a promessa bíblica aponta para uma comunhão perfeita e ininterrupta com Deus, onde a própria morte será destruída.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.(Romans 8:18)

17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,(2 Corinthians 4:17)

2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever.(Daniel 12:2,3)

3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God’s dwelling is with people; and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away."(Revelation 21:3,4)