Why is faith in Christ essential for eternal life?

Faith in Christ is essential for obtaining eternal life as it is the means through which we receive God's gracious gift. John 3:16 clearly conveys that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. This belief is not simply intellectual assent, but involves a heartfelt trust in Jesus as the Savior who took upon Himself the penalty for our sins. By placing our faith in Him, we acknowledge our inability to save ourselves and accept His redemptive work on the cross as the basis for our justification before God. Eternal life is promised to all who believe, underscoring the importance of faith as the conduit through which we can experience the fullness of life in Christ.