“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” -John 17:3
(LISTEN TO AUDIO VERSION)
Ever since I got hold of an understanding of Eternal life, it has become one of my favorite messages. When I had the chance to share a word for the first time on FAITHMOMENTS, I spoke about Eternal Life. I can teach about Eternal Life every day because I want you to know and understand that your new life in Jesus is “a present- continuous -personal relationship” with God.
Our salvation in Christ Jesus comes with so many great and priceless benefits that must be enjoyed right here on earth. One of the benefits is Eternal life. The Bible describes eternal life as a “gift” in Romans 6:23.
Many people have been made to believe wrongly, that eternal life, is only after death, someday in heaven. But John 3:16 tells the opposite. It says you have eternal life the very moment you believe in Christ Jesus. 1 John 5:11-13 and John 6:40 and 47 are among several scriptures that confirm our possession of eternal life presently.
Now and After
We were saved for heaven, but we must begin to live our salvation right here on earth. Eternal life is now and in the future. Praise God because you don’t have to wait till after death to start living your everlasting life. This confirms what Jesus said in John chapter 5:24, that a believer in Christ Jesus has “passed from death to life.”
John chapter 17 verse 3, plainly tells us what eternal life is- “know God and know Jesus Christ.” The best definition or meaning of eternal life is provided by Jesus Christ. He is the exclusive author of eternal salvation according to Hebrews 5:9 and Acts 4:12. He is the only Way to God in John 14:6. Eternal life is therefore not found in anyone but in Jesus Christ and it is received by faith.
“Know” as used in John chapter 17, is not just knowing God, or grasping some theological facts about Him. The verse talks about knowing God from a personal relationship and friendship you develop with Him through Christ Jesus, which leads to your personal experience of Him. Without this understanding, you will remain a church member with many good deeds to your credit yet, lack a deep and personal intimate relationship with God.
You can’t know all about somebody in a few hours. No! A day, a week, a month, or even a year, is not enough to know somebody. Ask married couples who have been together for many years and you will be surprised to know that they are still in the process of knowing each other. Because, to know somebody is to know them continuously, every day; to know somebody is to be friends with them or have a relationship with them. Even after one of the disciples of Jesus, Peter, had revealed with the help of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the son of God, Jesus later asked another disciple in shock “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?”- John 14:9. (Emphasis mine ). What you don’t know or understand cannot benefit you. Eternal life is to know the God that you worship.
God values relationships and that is why He took the bold step out of love and offered Jesus Christ so that through His blood, we can have fellowship with God – Colossians 1:20. The existing enmity between God and man as a result of sin has been replaced by “peace” in Ephesians 2:14-17. The death and resurrection of Jesus mean reconciliation between God and man and that must result in a fellowship, not a mere “ follower.” The eternal life assurance of salvation is the reason why I say, that in the absence of heaven and hell; Jesus would still die to bring us closer to our creator. Therefore Jesus also means, no separation between God and man. Apostle Paul must have been driven by this revelation knowledge as captured in Philippians 3:10. Christianity is all about a personal relationship with a Person, not just some doctrine, theories, or facts.
An attractive relationship
As a believer, you are not just in any religion. You’ve been called into Grace who is Christ. Therefore, let your Grace-filled personal relationship with God become a magnet to attract others. You’ve earned the right to be called “ a child ” of God in John 1:12 not because you observe the law to the letter but because of your faith in Christ Jesus.
You are qualified to approach God in confidence in Ephesians 3:12. The word of God says in Colossians chapter 3, that you are hidden with Christ in God. Faith in Jesus Christ presents all believers with the same opportunity to be in a relationship with Him. I’m talking about a relationship based on what Christ did for us on the cross and not because of our performances. The only weapon the devil ever had against you, was your sins, but Jesus dealt with that on the cross according to Hebrews 9:22 and Hebrews 10:12. Don’t let your past life deprive you of the everyday relationship you can enjoy in Jesus Christ. Jesus has set you free to enjoy a relationship with God and to tell others about Him.
Somebody’s salvation is dependent on what you share from your experience with Jesus. After personally meeting with Jesus, this is what the Samaritans said to the woman whose testimony led them to Jesus Christ: “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” -John 4:39-42
To know God and Jesus Christ is to increase your knowledge of them through the word of God. If God is a stranger to you, you are less likely to believe what He has said in His Word. Just like the early believers, let us increase in our knowledge of God- Ephesians 1:17. And in 2 Peter 3:18, we are encouraged to grow in our knowledge of Christ Jesus.
Your relationship with God through Christ Jesus will commit you to spending time in His word, just to know Him more and more and to hear Him speak to you directly. In John 10:27-28, Jesus says “My sheep hear My voice…” Do you hear His voice?
Prayer becomes an effortless daily lifestyle borne out of a relationship with God and not just an avenue for seeking material things or fulfilling a religious requirement.
Recommended Videos: “JESUS IS ETERNAL LIFE” & “READ THE WORD TO HEAR GOD “ by clicking on the links below.
https://studio.youtube.com/video/XUroeWxkKc0/edit
https://studio.youtube.com/video/U5mD8PCTmBY/edit
https://studio.youtube.com/video/lzBuBXobDIs/edit
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