SUBJECT:  Jesus Christ, Sin and Eternal Life

QUESTION: If the penalty of sin is eternal death and Jesus took our sins why didn't Jesus die eternally?

ANSWER:

The simple answer to your question is that it was NOT in God's will to do so.  God and Christ have an overall plan for mankind.  The plan extends far out into eternity.  It was not God's will to die eternally.  What purpose would that serve?

The penalty of eternal death is something applied to humans who sin.  Jesus did NOT sin.  He could have because He was human but He did not.  He died for our sins so that we might have an opportunity at eternal life.  It was enough for Him to die for our sins.  It serves no purpose for a God being to stay dead eternally to accomplish this purpose.  It is unthinkable that a God being would do so.  Asking a God being to do this would be considered blasphemous.

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

John 1:29

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of

the world.

1 John 3:5

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his

Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Note:  We see that Jesus died to take away our sins and it was accomplished by the shedding of blood and not eternal death.  Jesus was, if fact, taking away eternal death.  If you take away sin, you take away eternal death.  There is, of course, much more to the plan and the story such as our calling to enter into a Salvation Process where we each overcome sin and become more like Jesus Christ

ON ETERNAL DEATH

Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Note:  Jesus lived through the Spirit and did mortify the deeds of the body.  He lived.

Matthew 25:46

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Note:  Jesus was righteous and therefore was showing two important elements by his death and resurrection.  1) that sin results in death, something He came to take away; actually to show us the procedure for avoiding.  2) that a righteous life of overcoming sin and becoming like Christ in every way we can have eternal life.

James 4:12

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Note:  Christ is the one who has power over eternal life and eternal death.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Note:  Part of the reason for His coming to earth in the first place was to spread the gospel and the process of

Salvation which everyone who has ever lived will at one time or another be given.  If they fail in this Salvation process, then verse 8 applies.

JESUS CHRIST

John 5:21-24

21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Note:  Jesus will quicken whom he will.  Everything that is done by God and Christ are done by their will.  Jesus is the main element in eternal life for the rest of mankind.

John 10:18

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Note: Only Christ has power over the resurrection and eternal life.

John 2:19-21

19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

Note:  Jesus stated that He would be dead only 3 days and 3 nights.  This is the reason He did not remain dead eternally.  Clearly it was not necessary for Him to be dead eternally.  It is still also clear that if we refuse eternal life through the Process of Salvation, then we will also experience eternal death.

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