“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
(John 17:3)
The body of Scripture teaches God’s people all that they must know something very specific in order to live well before the face of God and to obtain the eternal life God has provided for them. It comprehends many holy ideas, of which one idea is principal. The principal science of the bible is theology, a word about the living God. Scripture teaches who God is and what He requires of us to live before Him as He so desires. It is in God, in Christ, that eternal life is found. But, how do we know Him?
We learn of God through His Word. We learn of His character, His nature, His essence, His attributes, and His ways. But simply learning about God is not the same as knowing Him. It is certainly possible to learn about God without actually knowing Him and thereby miss the opportunity for eternal life altogether. Learning about God must be connected with the vital union of knowing Him through the Lord Jesus Christ.
You may know about the President or a famous author or actor or musician. You may know a great deal about someone – their name, date of birth, where they live, and even their favorite foods and typical habits. But having that knowledge is quite different than knowing them personally. And no matter how much we know about God, without a personal relationship with Him through His Son we cannot attain eternal life. Why? Because God is the source of life. If we are outside of Christ, we are outside the very source of life itself.
The purpose of life is not to build a business or a legacy. It is not to become famous or to write a book. It is not to lead… influence… or persuade. These are all practical things and can even be good things. But these outward signs of success are typically accomplished in our own strength and for our own glory.
Rather, the purpose of your life and mine is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Rom. 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” It is to glorify Him in service to the Living Christ in worship, and to know God on a personal level. Where is this personal level found? The most blessed work of God is the communication of His divine nature to fallen sinners, and their rescue by the Son of God who came to seek and save that which was lost by His covenant. Here, Christ becomes personal to the soul by faith. The foundation of salvation is Christ Jesus, called of His Father from all eternity, to perform the office of the Mediator, that in Him all those which should be saved, might be chosen. Heb. 5:5, “Christ took not to himself this honor, to be made the high Priest, but he that said to him, you art my Son, this day begat I thee,” etc. Isa. 42:1, “Behold my servant. I have put my Spirit on him, He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.” Eph. 1:4, “He has chosen us in Him,” meaning Christ. It is in Christ, God’s Mediator, that men may live blessedly forever, walking in a manner of life that glorious and adores the living God. It is by faith in the Son of God, through the Word of God, that one may come to understand and know God’s Christ.
- Lord, I know I have eternal life because of the incarnation. You are the Christ of the Godhead. You are both God (John. 1:1) and man. You are the God-man.
- How can I be saved in any other way than through knowing You, Lord, and knowing Jesus Christ whom You sent? I see the grievances of my sin against You, and I know sin angers You. I realize without Your saving grace I will never know eternal life. Instead, my sin will lead me to an everlasting death. Yet You gave me the ability, by Your Spirit, to believe on the Lord Jesus who is life eternal.
- It is amazing to me that You, Lord Jesus, being equal with God, took on a human nature and became a man that You could die in my place. And now You are my Mediator to the Father. As 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “One God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
- Lord Jesus, it is a blessing beyond words for me to meditate on knowing You as Savior and Lord. Eternal life is only attainable through You and no one else. You are perfect God, perfect man, and my all-sufficient and perfect Savior.
Further References for John 17:3
1 John 5:20; John 17:8; Hos. 6:3; Mark 12:29; John 11:27; 1 John 5:11
