Jack Hibbs Podcast

Episode: How To Know You Have Eternal Life

Release Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Jack Hibbs
Co-Host/Guest: Unnamed
Main Theme: Understanding assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, how justification and sanctification work, and practical encouragement to reject darkness and live in the light.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jack Hibbs and his co-host tackle the question of how believers can know with certainty that they have eternal life. They unpack foundational biblical concepts like justification and sanctification, illustrate spiritual growth through everyday analogies, and contrast Christian hope with alternative worldviews. The conversation is both challenging and uplifting, urging listeners to cling to Christ, cast off the works of darkness, and live out their faith in practical ways.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hurting Ourselves and Life Without Jesus

• (00:39-01:00) The conversation opens reflecting on self-inflicted wounds—ways people hurt themselves by trying to do life apart from Christ.

  • Quote [00:44]:
    "Do your life without Jesus? You don't have to do that anymore." — Co-Host

• Message: God wants to instantly deliver us from sin and give us a new life—something better than self-reliance or striving.

2. Justification & Sanctification Explained

• (01:41-02:32) Foundational terms:
  • Justification: Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers’ past sins are wiped away so long as they repent.
  • Sanctification: Ongoing transformation by the Holy Spirit, day by day, to become more like Jesus.
• Memorable Quote [01:45]:
  "He died on the cross and rose again from the dead for our justification. ...None of our past life is no longer held accountable to us if we repent of our sins. To him, he's the great justifier." — Co-Host
• Memorable Analogy [02:32]:
  On sanctification:
  "Are you more like Jesus than you were five years ago? ...We get frustrated. Man, I wish I was growing..." — Co-Host
• Growth Analogy [02:48-03:36]:
  • Comparing spiritual growth to measuring kids at a door: If seen every day, growth is hard to notice, but over time it becomes evident.

3. Death, Heaven, and Spiritual Graduation

• (03:36-04:32):

  • The death of believers is a graduation—life’s purpose is fulfilled, and God calls believers home.
  • Quote [03:49]:
    "I think when you and I die in this world, it's because we outlive our body." — Jack Hibbs

• Assurance for Believers:

  • (04:32):
    "This [earth] is as close to hell as we'll ever get." — Co-Host

4. St. Augustine and Delayed Change

• (04:51-05:55): Jack references Augustine’s struggle with addiction to sin, highlighting that delaying change (“tomorrow, tomorrow...”) never works—only Jesus has the power to break the cycle.
  • Quote [05:25]:
    "Have you noticed if you put it off until tomorrow, it never happens?" — Co-Host
  • Quote [05:42]:
    "How can I free myself from these terrible urges? You cannot. That's what he learned. You can't." — Jack Hibbs

5. Worldviews: Christian vs. New Age

• (06:21-08:57):
  • The co-host humorously describes New Age practices (harmonic convergence, crystals, etc.) as substitutes for true spiritual peace.
  • Contrast: New Age seeks “oneness” and “peace” but often depends on self-medication; Christianity offers lasting peace through Christ.
  • Quote [07:14]:
    "I'm converging with the harmonics of the world, of the universe. Great, awesome. So what are we doing? What's gonna happen next?" — Co-Host
  • Quote [08:38]:
    "Have you noticed? It's true, all this love, it's all peace...I need drugs." — Jack Hibbs
  • Summary Statement:
    "Jesus says you don't need drugs. Well, how am I gonna cope? Oh, he'll get you through, friend. He'll give you a peace...that passes all human understanding." — Jack Hibbs [09:00]

6. The Nearness of Christ's Return

• (08:59-11:28):
  • The “night is far spent”; Christ’s return is close, and hardship under sin is almost over.
  • Whether by death or the rapture, believers will soon experience eternal glory.
  • Quote [09:58]:
    "The night is almost over. And for the believer...we still go home. The night is far spent, everybody. It's almost over. Glory awaits." — Jack Hibbs

7. Living in the Light—Practical Exhortation

• (11:29-12:32):

  • Christians are called to “cast off works of darkness, heave them off” and to “put on the armor of light” (referencing Romans 13).
  • Quote [12:02]:
    "Throw them off...the things of darkness. The things that have a tendency to wrap around your ankles and pull you into dark places." — Jack Hibbs

• Motivation: Not to earn favor with God, but in response to His love.

8. Memorable Story: Two Tickets to Paradise

• (13:33-15:12):

  • Jack recalls a concert in the “late 1870s” (humorous exaggeration), where the opening act sang “Two Tickets to Paradise” and fell onstage.

  • Takeaway:
    "Jesus has two tickets to paradise. He was crucified to buy the ticket and he gives it to you. He's got more than two tickets." — Co-Host [15:12-15:26]

  • Biblical Reference: Isaiah's invitation to "look unto Him and be saved."

  • Encouragement: All one must do is “look” to Jesus for salvation.

9. Prayer and Spiritual Armor

• (16:19-19:21):
  • How to “pray off darkness”: Simple, honest prayer, not ritualistic or lengthy.
  • Quote [16:53]:
    "There's only one way— you pray it off." — Co-Host
  • Prayer: A communal, heartfelt invocation to cast off darkness and “put on the armor of light”:
    • Helmet of salvation
    • Sword of the Spirit
    • Shield of faith
    • Belt of truth
    • Gospel of peace (shoes)
    • Breastplate of righteousness
  • Quote [19:10]:
    "We pray from this moment on, may we walk, live, move, breathe in being a people of prayer to experience the constant pushing off of the darkness, drawing closer to the light..." — Jack Hibbs

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Do your life without Jesus? You don't have to do that anymore." — Co-Host [00:44]
• "He died on the cross and rose again from the dead for our justification...none of our past life is no longer held accountable to us if we repent..." — Co-Host [01:45]
• "Are you more like Jesus than you were five years ago?" — Co-Host [02:32]
• "This [earth] is as close to hell as we'll ever get." — Co-Host [04:32]
• "How can I free myself from these terrible urges? You cannot. That's what he learned. You can't." — Jack Hibbs [05:42]
• "Jesus says you don't need drugs...He'll give you a peace...that passes all human understanding." — Jack Hibbs [09:00]
• "Throw them off...the things of darkness...wrap around your ankles and pull you into dark places." — Jack Hibbs [12:02]
• "Jesus has two tickets to paradise. He was crucified to buy the ticket and he gives it to you." — Co-Host [15:12]
• "There's only one way— you pray it off." — Co-Host [16:53]

Important Timestamps

• [00:39-01:00]: Opening reflection on self-inflicted wounds & living without Jesus
• [01:41-02:32]: Explanation of justification and sanctification
• [03:49]: Death as spiritual “graduation” for believers
• [04:51-05:55]: Augustine's struggle with sin and futility of self-rescue
• [06:21-08:57]: Satirical take on New Age beliefs vs. true Christian peace
• [09:58]: The approaching end of “the night” & hope of Christ’s return
• [12:02]: Instruction to cast off works of darkness
• [13:33-15:26]: “Two tickets to paradise” story—Jesus offers salvation freely
• [16:53]: Practical method to “pray off” darkness
• [17:28-19:21]: Full congregational prayer for spiritual armor and closeness to God

Episode Summary

Jack Hibbs provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to understanding the assurance of eternal life in Christ. Through biblical teachings, relatable analogies, and exhortations to practical faith, he encourages listeners to reject self-reliance, embrace the work of Jesus (justification and ongoing sanctification), and look forward with hope to eternity. The episode’s tone is sincere, at times light-hearted, and always direct, wrapping up with a communal prayer empowering listeners to actively reject darkness and walk in the light.

For more resources and outlines, visit jackhibbs.com.