How does John 17:3 define eternal life in a personal relationship with God? The Verse Itself “Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) Eternal Life Defined by Jesus • Eternal life is not first described in terms of length but in terms of relationship. • Jesus places the focus on “knowing” the Father and the Son—personal, experiential knowledge. • The definition comes from the Lord’s own lips on the eve of the cross, underscoring its importance. Knowing God: More Than Information • The Greek verb ginoskō speaks of intimate acquaintance, like the closeness of a covenant friendship (cf. Jeremiah 9:23-24). • It involves heart-level trust (John 3:16), not mere mental assent. • This knowledge grows: “I press on to know Him” (Philippians 3:8-10). Covenant Relationship Through Jesus • Jesus is the exclusive mediator: “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). • By faith we receive the life He gives (1 John 5:11-12). • The Father is called “the only true God,” and Jesus is the One He “sent,” binding the Persons together in the gift of life. Key Marks of This Relationship – Faith: confident reliance on Christ (John 6:47). – Love: responding to God’s love with wholehearted devotion (1 John 4:19). – Obedience: keeping His word as evidence of knowing Him (John 14:23). – Communication: prayer and listening to His voice (John 10:27). – Abiding: continual fellowship that produces fruit (John 15:4-5). Present Experience, Future Fulfillment • Eternal life begins now: “whoever hears My word … has eternal life” (John 5:24). • It culminates in endless fellowship with God in glory (Revelation 21:3-4). • The relationship survives death because it is anchored in the Eternal One (John 11:25-26). Implications for Daily Living • Security: no one can snatch us from Christ’s hand (John 10:28-29). • Transformation: we grow to reflect His character (2 Corinthians 3:18). • Purpose: we’re sent to help others know Him (2 Corinthians 5:20). • Joy: fullness found in Him exceeds any earthly substitute (Psalm 16:11). Scriptures Echoing the Same Definition • 1 Corinthians 1:9 — “God … has called you into fellowship with His Son.” • Hosea 6:3 — “Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD.” • John 10:14-15 — “I know My sheep and My sheep know Me.” • 1 John 2:3-5 — genuine knowledge evidenced by obedience. Takeaway Eternal life, according to Jesus, is a vibrant, ongoing, ever-deepening relationship with the Father through the Son—life that starts the moment we believe and extends unbroken into eternity. |
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