Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 1/25/2012

Question
First thing first, before I get to the question, I am a member of a Baptist church. But I do not consider myself as a Christian. I have trouble repentance, too lazy to read the bible, or believing the fact I am saved. I am kinda of like a tug rope, pulling from one side to the another. One side is the Church of Christ and the other side is a Baptist Church, I have trouble figure that baptism is necessary for salvation or not. And quite frankly. I have no support understand what salvation is. But anyway, that not the question I have, hoping to give you the background of myself so you know what I'm coming from with this question.

I heard people said that heaven is a place and eternal life is not. I though that heaven and eternal life is the same thing. I heard people said that I can have eternal life right now instead of waiting for me to die. That God is the eternal life and once I accept him, the Spirit of God, live inside of me, meaning giving me a eternal life. Also mean that God gave himself to me.

My question is, is this true and if not, what the different between heaven and eternal life?

Please forgive me, if my question is long and take a lot of your time.

Ryan

Answer
Hello Ryan,
Thank you for your question. You have been told quite rightly that eternal life can begin here and now. In John 3 Jesus teaches about the importance of being born again, that is to experience spiritual birth. When we turn from our sin and put our trust in Jesus and His death for us the Holy Spirit enters our lives and makes us spiritually alive. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and once He enters our lives we have eternal Life within because the life of God is eternal.
When we die, or when Jesus returns, we will either go to be with God in heaven or end up in hell. If our trust is in Jesus and the Holy Spirit has come into our lives so that we choose to live under the Lordship of Jesus, then we will go to heaven and enjoy the eternal life that has begun here and now but will enjoy it even more then because there will be no more sin, sickness or death. If we refuse the way of Jesus we will end up in hell and through all eternity be separate from God.
I hope these comments are of some help and encourage you to put your trust in Jesus, asking Him to be Lord of your life. That way you can experience eternal life now and enjoy it even more in heaven.
May God bless you.
Stuart Woodward