There is a creature that exists within our churches that is foreign to scripture. It has declared itself saved by once walking down a church aisle and reciting a parroted prayer, yet has no desire to really know the Lord. It says that it is headed to heaven, yet doesn’t care to read the Bible or spend time talking with God. It has remained in the same state it was in before walking that aisle, but will tell all who asks, “I’m borne again, done did that”. It says I have eternal life and when asked about this eternal life it has little to say about God, but talks about the things that will give it pleasure and happiness in heaven. It talks about hunting, fishing, playing golf, and seeing long lost family members who may or may not have known the Lord. That heaven will be pleasurable for it, but it is in no hurry to get there, it is fine right here thank you.
So one may ask the question, what is eternal life? Is eternal life these things in this world that give a man pleasure and happiness during this existence of flesh, blood, and bone? Jesus prayed to God the Father on behalf of those who believed that He came from the Father and not only for them, but all who would believe in Him through the word of those believers. He said: “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that you sent Me.” (John 17:20-21) This amazing prayer of our Lord comprises the entire 17th chapter of John and in it He states specifically what eternal life is. And what the Lord tells us is so amazing and wonderful it goes far beyond any happiness or pleasures brought on by created things. Here are His words. “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:1-3)
Did you see it, did you get that, I just got it myself the other day. Eternal life is knowing God, the only true God! That is what eternal life is; knowing God. It’s not a mere knowledge of Him, or a casual relationship; it is more intimate and a deeper, than with any created being any of us has had at any time on Earth. Eternal life is not endless existence; it is infinitely knowing God, the Creator of all things. People often want to know the meaning of it all, what is life all about, why are we here? We are created to know God and to worship God. Most of us like the creature described in the first paragraph worship the creation rather than the Creator. What does the average person say when asked what heaven will be like? The answer will most often be whatever they worship and love; created things, whatever makes them happy. We were not created to worship the creation, we were created to know God and worship Him. The most tragic thing imaginable happened in the Garden of Eden; man sinned and was separated from God. An enmity was placed between God and man; he could no longer be with God, he could no longer know God because he had sinned. God is Holy He is separate from man. Man was cast out of the Garden of Eden and a barrier was placed at the entrance, so that man could no longer enter; he was cast out of the presence of God into the earth, where he was to work and toil to eat all the days of his life. God is good, He cannot allow what is evil into His presence; because God is good, and man is evil man cannot commune with God.
You can read through any Book in Scripture and all of Scripture is about God restoring the relationship between Himself and man. He sent His Son Jesus; fully God and fully Man who through His bloody death, burial, and resurrection made it possible for God to restore the relationship with man. All who repent and believe in the gospel have eternal life. If you by the grace of God, through hearing the gospel preached, received the Holy Spirit, causing you to repent and believe in the Person of Jesus Christ (God the Son) and the work of Jesus Christ (paying the price for your sins in full through His death, burial, and resurrection), you have received the gift of God; Eternal life, that you may know the only true God. The overwhelming desire to know God, and to be with Him, has to be the greatest fruit of salvation.
Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ that you may know God;
Mike Peek a slave of Jesus Christ
Quotes and References: (John 17, John 17:20-21, John 17:1-3, Genesis 3, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38)
