Eternal Life

August, 2007

by: Tim Carns

Immortality has been something that mankind has sought throughout history. From the legend surrounding Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth to Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail, people have longed for a way to obtain eternal life. These pursuits beg the question: what is eternal life? Most people would say that it is to live forever, to never die, to be immortal or something along those lines. Though length of time is certainly an important aspect of eternal life, it is not the central one according to the Bible. Jesus Christ Himself defines eternal life for us in a very short but profound statement in John 17:3. Near the beginning of what is commonly referred to as The High Priestly Prayer, Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Within these few words our Lord has captured the essence of eternal life. It is not duration that defines eternal life but experience. What is in view here is not primarily living in heaven forever but it is living in heaven with God forever. It is not the experience of having no end to our days but of having no end in our experiencing Him. Look more closely at how Jesus phrases the idea. He doesn’t say that to know God produces eternal life. Rather to know God is eternal life.

Jesus says that eternal life is bound up in ‘knowing’ God. It is a relationship with Him which defines eternal life. It is so critical that we understand it is the quality of life rather than the quantity which Jesus emphasizes here. God did not provide salvation through Christ simply to get us out of Hell or to increase the population of Heaven. God offers you salvation in Christ through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead in order that you may know Him—that you may have a relationship with Him. John says earlier in his Gospel that whoever receives (i.e. accept as true, welcome, yield to) Christ will be adopted by God as His child. To know God is more than being able to list out His attributes or to recount various stories about Him. To know God is to walk with Him day after day. To know God is to grow more in awe of Him and more in love with Him as time goes on.

Eternal life is not an event in the future but rather a relationship in the present—one that will never end. How are you experiencing eternal life today? How are you cultivating a relationship with Him today? As you read about Jesus in Scripture are they merely words on the page or do they give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for who He is and what He has done? If you find your passion waning, then go back to a careful reflection in the Gospels where you can see the clearest picture of who God is and what He is like in Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-3). John opened his Gospel by describing Jesus as “The Word”—God’s communication to us. Each Gospel writer was intentional in giving the specific thoughts, words, and actions of Christ as a means for us to know Him more deeply and to follow Him more faithfully. Do not read Scripture as you would read a history book or a non-fictional novel. Read it as a personal diary to you from One who loves you. In order to help in deepening your relationship with the Lord, let me suggest the following questions to guide you in reflective reading and meditating:

• What does this passage show me about the character or nature of Christ?
• How does this help me to be more in love with and in awe of Christ?
• In what way can I meditate on this truth about Christ today to keep my gaze set upon Him?
• How does what I see of Christ in this passage relate to me?
• How does what I see of Christ in the passage help me in pursuing holiness?
• What verse can I write down to reflect on throughout the day?

To know Christ IS eternal life. Are you experiencing eternal life today?