Do believers already have eternal life?
Yes. Believers already have eternal life within them. Because Christ died for sin and rose victorious over sin, death, and hell, His victory is imputed to their account. They therefore possess salvation not only for this life but for all eternity, and that eternal life cannot be touched by physical death.
Les teaches that the believer’s eternal life is already present, not merely future. He explains that lost people are enemies and aliens, not under God’s control until they come God’s way, but God still loves His enemies and offers salvation. In Romans 5:10, Paul says that if we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Christ did not stay in the grave; He arose victorious over sin, death, and hell, and since He was victorious, believers are victorious. That victory is imputed to their account, so they have salvation for this life and for all eternity. Les notes that believers have already within them eternal life, which is why martyrs could go to death without fear, even singing hymns: the flames can take the flesh and this life, but they cannot touch eternal life. Paul admonishes that by the work of the cross believers are justified and also have eternal life.