Jim Parker
Member
I would say it just a bit differently.It almost sounds as if you're defining eternal life as Christ in you, our only hope of glory. I would hope this is an acceptable statement to all here?
There is only one being in existence who has life by nature. (as part of his essence) That being is God. (John 1:4)
When God breathed His spirit into Adam, He gave Adam life.(Gen 2:7)
When his spirit leaves a man, he dies. (Ecc 12:7)
The only way to have eternal life is to be united to Christ as part of His body. (Eph 5:30-32)
As believers, we become Christ's body; one flesh with Him.
Therefore, as Christ has eternal life by nature, the Church has eternal life by grace and by the fact of being united to Christ as the Bride of Christ.
But the body we now have will not have eternal life because "flesh and blood will not inherit the kingdom." ( 1Co 15:50)
At His coming, believers will be changed from an earthly body to a spiritual body and the dead will rise with a spiritual body. (1Co 15:44; 51-55)
Anyway, that's how I understand it.
iakov the fool