When I was six years old I thought I received eternal life.  I thought that meant I would now live forever with Jesus in heaven.  But eternal life means so much more!  Did you know that eternal life is a person?  John in the book of I John is introducing Jesus to us in a similar way that Ed McMann introduced Johnny Carson on the Johnny Carson show.  Heeerrreee’s Johnny!  Listen to I John 1:1-4  “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life – (John literally walked and talked with Jesus) 2. and THE LIFE  was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you THE ETERNAL LIFE (Heeerrreee’s Jesus!), which was with the Father and was manifested to us, 3. what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4. These things we write so that our joy may be made complete.  It is sort of like Jesus’ middle name is ETERNAL LIFE.

I John 5:11-12 “And the testimony is this, that God has given us ETERNAL LIFE and this life is in HIS SON. He who has the Son has THE LIFE; he who does not have the Son of God does not have THE LIFE.”  I John 5:20b  This is the true God and ETERNAL LIFE.”  And one more important verse. Verse 13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.”  You can be certain that Jesus lives in you.

So when I was six years old I entered into Eternal Life.  I received a person that made me an entirely new creation. I did not JUST receive a ticket to heaven that says I’ll live forever.   I now have a new past AND a new future.  That’s why Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ, I no longer live but Christ lives in and through me.”(My paraphrase)