Translators should be careful to avoid expressions which mean no more than a timeless continuation of life after death. More than three times as many scriptures refer to eternal life as a present possession, than as a future possession. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
Eternal life enables people to overcome selfishness.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.