What does it mean when God says you are a possessor of eternal life?

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You Are a Possessor of Eternal Life

When I was a young boy, I collected comic books. Each month, when the new ones would come out, my mother would take me to a store called Woolworths. They had a separate comic book section that I couldn’t wait to see. I’d try to find only those that were first edition or #1 issue amongst hundreds of different ones. And then I’d sheepishly ask her if she’d buy them for me.

Over time, I had the #1 first issue of Spiderman, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the Green Hornet. While I also liked Superman and Batman comics, the #1 issues were produced many years earlier and were unaffordable. Was there one that was my favorite? I’d have to say Spiderman. Why was this the case? It had to do with who he was, what his superpowers were, how he got them, and what his mission was. These answers were found from the following information provided by Wikipedia.



SPIDER-MAN

Spider-Man is the alias of Peter Parker, an orphan raised by his Aunt May and [uncle in New York City after his parents, Richard and Mary Parker,] died in a plane crash … Spider-Man gets superhuman spider-powers and abilities from a bite from a radioactive spider; these include clinging to surfaces and ceilings, superhuman strength, speed, and agility, and detecting danger with his precognition ability called “spider-sense.” He also builds wrist-mounted “web-shooter” devices that shoot artificial spider-webs of his own design that was meant to be used for shooting and trapping his enemies and web-swinging across the city. After the personal tragedy of his late Uncle Ben, Peter began using his spider-powers to fight against crime as Spider-Man.145

My favorite superpower of his was the ability to web-swing across the city. I liken it to being able to fly. Do you know that you’ve received at salvation a supernatural blessing that contains supernatural powers? The book of 1 John will fill us in as to what you’ve acquired.



1 John 5:11

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

And this is the testimony that God the Father has given you eternal life when you chose to believe in his Son. With that said, what is eternal life? It’s that life in God that includes all [blessedness and isn’t] broken by physical death.146 We can also describe it as the zoe or divine life. Another aspect of eternal life is brought forth in the following verse.



1 John 5:12

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

The phrase hath life tells us that every believer is in full and continuous possession of147 it. Your new life continues in the now and forever. You can’t escape it. You can’t lose it. And what comes with divine life are many blessings, one of which is called spiritual gifts or divine empowerments, which are, in actuality, supernatural powers. By means of the agency of the indwelling Spirit, He directs us to use whatever gift of gifts He has given us for the edification of the church and an awareness of the existence of God for unbelievers.

Let me give you one example of these gifts and how it functions. One of them is called the gift of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8). This benefit is the revealing of a fact in existence (of the present or past) that can only be supernaturally revealed. In other words, this [isn’t] something that could be known naturally but something one’s eyes [haven’t seen] and ears [haven’t] heard.148

And besides this, it’s possible that each of us will receive additional powers when we pass on from here, enter heaven, and receive glorified bodies. Some examples of this pertain to the time when Jesus was witnessed by over five hundred people during a period of 40 days on the earth after He rose from the dead.

John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

The word shut can also mean locked. Could this indicate that Jesus actually passed through the door with supernatural ability?

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

This was the time when Jesus departed from the earth toward heaven. It appears that He was flying.

Revelations 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And as for us, Jesus’ bride, we’re told that there will come a time in the future when we’ll return with Him on white horses, accompanying Him at His return to the earth. On flying horses in outer space? I know what you’re thinking. All of this is a figure of speech. Well, if it isn’t, then there could be many Spider-men and Spider-women in heaven. Ha-ha.

With that said, you have eternal or divine life and as such you’re a superhero who has been provided with supernatural powers. This means that you’re exceptional. Think about that.

The next spiritual reality that has taken place in your life at salvation is a designation that describes you as someone who represents someone else. Any idea what the name of this position is?



Endnotes

145“Spider-Man,” 22 November 2022

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146The Pulpit Commentary.

147UBS New Testament Handbook Series.

148Lester Sumrall. “The Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit.” Lester Sumrall Evangelical Association, 1982.