Sunday, July 17
What is eternal life?
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7-8, Psalm 83, John 17
John 17:1–3 “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. 3 This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.”
Observation
Jesus has the authority to give eternal life. And what is eternal life? “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.”
Eternal life is knowing God—personally.
John uses the Greek word ginosko which means “to learn to know a person through direct personal experience, implying a continuity of relationship.” In Louw and Nida’s Greek lexicon, they write “In translating γινώσκω in Jn 17:3, it is important to avoid an expression which will mean merely ‘to learn about.’ Here the emphasis must be on the interpersonal relationship which is experienced.”
Eternal life is a deep personal relationship with God.
Application
We use the word “know” with nuance. When I am asked, “Do you know so-and-so?” I may say, “Yes I know him,” and that can mean everything from “I am acquainted,” to “I know him well.”
The same was true of the Greek word ginosko. Here in John 17:3, it isn’t just knowing about God, or being acquainted with God; it is about a deep, ongoing personal relationship.
Eternal life isn’t something that happens after you die. It starts now. It is a life-giving relationship with God—knowing God.
God is infinite and eternal in all His attributes. So there is always more of Him to know and experience. There’s more! This is part of the adventure of being a Christian: getting to know God in new ways, deeper ways. Don’t be satisfied where you are.
“So let us press on to know the Lord.” Hosea 6:3
Prayer: Help me to know You more today, Lord, and every day. More and more, deeper and deeper. This is eternal life, life to the full.