The Two Perspectives of Eternal Life: Immortal vs Mortal Salvation

A vital key of understanding, that a person must have, in order to be able to rightly divide the scriptures, and to fully see the gospel in a more fuller light and glory, is the understanding of the two perspectives of eternal life.

I prefer to use the words Immortal and Mortal to identify these two prespectives. I am familiar with others who have used different labels or titles. Some of those are "Time Salvation", "Present Salvation", and "Temporal Salvation". To me, these suggest that the salvation received in this life is of a earthly nature and ends at some point. As I explain below, and as Ephesians 1:11 & 14 reveal, the salvation received in this life is merely the earnest of that which we will also have after this life.

The First Perspective - Only By Grace

At regeneration, when a person is delivered to Christ by the Father (John 6:37, John 6:44, Colossians 1:13, Regeneration), being received of the Father as an adopted child (Hebrews 12:6, Adoption), the person becomes an heir of Eternal Life (Ephesians 1:11).

However, because there is no physical, mental, moral, or spiritual change in the person, as a result of regeneration, the person begins his new childhood in disobedience to the Father, yielding himself to be a servant of sin (Romans 6:6, Romans 6:16). Galatians 4:1-3 describes the newly regenerated persons situation very well. Although the person is now a child of God, and an heir to the inheritance, he is no different than that of a servant. A master of the household would not entrust a servant with the responsibilities of managing his estate. Likewise, because the person has previously been unable to understand the gospel message, like a servant, he is unlearned in the ways of the Father and is not yet able to receive any part of the inheritance. However, as stated in 1 Peter 1:4, the persons inheritance is   reserved in heaven and will not fade away. This is the first perspective of eternal life (or eternal salvation). It is given solely by grace, and because it was not given according to what the person did or did not do, it will never be taken away based upon what the person does or does not do. By this alone, a person will live forever (John 6:51).


The Second Perspective - Only By Faith

Ephesians 1:13-14 is the best description of how the regenerate person comes to obtain, or take hold of, eternal life. A regenerate person, being loosed from the carnal man (Romans 7:1-4), and now having the capacity to receive the Holy Spirit, which is required to discern the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:11 & 14), must now hear the gospel, trust in the gospel, and believe the gospel. Once this has occurred, the person receives the Holy Spirit, which confirms the testimony of the gospel. The Holy Spirit, as defined in Ephesians 1:14, is the earnest of the inheritance, which the person received at regeneration (Ephesians 1:11).

It is by this second perspective of eternal life that a regenerate person either lives or dies, spiritually. It is only through faith that a regenerate person can take current and immediate possession of eternal life in this mortal world (Matthew 19:16, Mark 10:17, Luke 10:25, John 3:15, John 6:47, John 17:2, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:19). Christ, as the mediator of the inheritance (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 12:24), is the only one who is able to lay charge against the elect and condemn them (Romans 8:33-34) to either life or death, in a spiritual sense, in this mortal world. He accomplishes this judgement by the administration of the Spirit. (John 5:22, John 5:27, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Peter 4:17)

The Holy Spirit is given in measure (John 3:34, Ephesians 4:7), and is given in accordance with the persons faith and obedience. The person is able to grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), as well as, quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). In quenching the Spirit, the earnest of the inheritance is cut off. The end result is no different than being removed from the vine, withered, and cast into fire (John 15:6).

Ezekiel 18:21-24 & Ezekiel 18:26-28 are very clear and straight forward in teaching what happens to those who turn away from their sins and those who backslide and fall away. Yes, it is possible for a person to loose this aspect of their salvation, but only this aspect.

Again, by being regenerate the person will live forever (John 6:51), but without faith he will not possess the earnest of eternal life (John 6:53). A person must be both regenerated by the Father and converted by faith to possess eternal life (John 6:47 & 54).