Eternity Is Now in Session: A Radical Rediscovery of What Jesus Really Taught about Salvation, Eternity, and Getting to the Good Place

In us, something is waiting—for what, we do not know. Perhaps something different? Or something better? For Christians, the deepest expression of what we're waiting for may be found in the phrase "eternal life." But what is eternal life? Why do we desire it? And how can we determine if we possess it?

In his bestselling book "Eternity Is Now in Session," author John Ortberg dispels the myth that eternal life is a distant, otherworldly experience to be had only after death. Ortberg argues that the moment we trust in Christ, we are initiated into "eternal living" with God, a reality that exists in the here and now and extends beyond our earthly existence.

Jesus defined eternal life in a single, concise statement recorded in John 17:3: "...that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." The "knowing God" that constitutes eternal life is not merely an acknowledgment of certain facts about God, but an interactive, relational experience. As we embark on this transformative journey of truly knowing God, we can begin to encounter His presence, favor, and resurrection power in the details, tasks, and challenges of our everyday lives.

Recognizing that each moment of our lives is a vehicle to the eternity we have been longing for, we can start to experience God's eternal, living presence in the present. This understanding challenges the notion that being "saved" is merely about meeting the minimum requirements for gaining entry into heaven. Instead, it suggests that the moment we trust in Christ, we are initiated into a life-changing, eternal relationship with the divine.

Ortberg's work encourages readers to shift their perspective and embrace the reality that eternal life is not something distant and unattainable, but a here-and-now reality to be explored and experienced. By unpacking the true meaning of Jesus' definition of eternal life, the author invites us to embark on a transformative journey of knowing God in an intimate, interactive way—a journey that can infuse our daily lives with the power, presence, and favor of the eternal.

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