According to the Bible, there is only one condition to receiving everlasting life. This one condition is mentioned numerous times and in different places throughout the Bible. Let’s have a look at just a few of these verses, focusing specifically on what Jesus himself said you must do to have everlasting life:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [John 3:16]
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [John 3:18]
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. [John 3:36]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. [John 5:24]
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. [John 6:40]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. [John 6:47]
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? [John 11:26]
From the above verses it is crystal clear what is needed to obtain everlasting life: simply believe in Jesus. To believe in Jesus means to put your trust in him. Trusting that he is able to forgive your sins and grant you everlasting life through his sacrificial death, burial and resurrection. This is the good news of the gospel. Jesus did all the work necessary for our salvation, all we must do is simply believe that he did it for us.
However, there are those out there who will claim that salvation is not just by believing, but that something else is required over and above simple faith in Jesus. Let me be as clear as possible: If believing in Jesus is not enough to obtain everlasting life, but you also need to do something else, then we have one of two options:
- Either Jesus was lying in the above verses when he said whosoever believes in him has everlasting life; Or…
- The person claiming that there is something else you need to do is the liar.
I don’t know about you, but I choose to believe Jesus.
Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar! [Romans 3:4]