Eternal life, gift of

Eternal life cannot be earned or merited but must be received as a gift from God.

Fruitless attempts to earn eternal life

John 5:39–40 It is possible to study the mere letter of Scripture while ignoring coming to its focus, Jesus Christ; Galatians 3:11–12 See also Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28

You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.

Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

Jesus Christ is the source of eternal life

1 John 5:11–12 See also John 11:25–26, John 14:6; Romans 5:21; Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 9:12; 2 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 John 5:20

And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Eternal life is a gift

Romans 6:23 See also John 6:27, John 10:28; Romans 2:7, Romans 5:15–17; Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 Peter 3:7; 2 Peter 1:3

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Received by faith

John 3:36 Faith in Jesus Christ, God's son, is the only way to gain eternal life. See also John 3:16, John 5:24, John 6:40, John 20:31; 1 Timothy 1:16

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”

The need for personal commitment

John 12:25–26 See also Matthew 7:14; Mark 8:37–38; Acts 11:18 Repentance is the first step of commitment; Romans 6:8–11

Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.