Eternal salvation or everlasting life is the grace gift of God to man, received by faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16). No one ever earns or deserves anything from God. But in His infinite love and grace, God freely provides everything for us to have an eternal relationship with Him.

For by grace you [are having] been saved through faith; and that [eternal salvation] not [from] yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

God’s plan of “grace and truth is realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17), the uniquely born Son of God. Jesus Christ became true humanity to be our substitute and pay the penalty for our sins. When our Lord Jesus Christ was on the cross, He was judged for the sins of the world. Every sin that has ever been committed in the history of the human race was imputed to Him on the cross and judged.

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross. (1 Peter 2:24a)

 

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf [as our substitute], that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Because of the work of Jesus Christ, eternal salvation is available to everyone.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

 

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved.” (Acts 16:31a)

Believing in Christ means you accept as true the fact that He died as your personal substitute. In the moment you believe, God gives you eternal life and guarantees your eternal salvation. Instantly, you are brought into an eternal relationship with God forever. Your attitude toward Jesus Christ determines your eternal future. You can either believe in Christ for eternal life or reject Him for eternal condemnation.

He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey [believe] the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (John 3:36)