And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.You know, a lot of people think that eternal life just means to exist forever. But that can't be true. Eternal life must mean far more than that because sinners are going to exist forever in a place reserved for the damned.
( John 17:3)
Well, then, is eternal life based on belonging to a particular church or religious group? No, Jesus tells us exactly what eternal life is in His prayer to the heavenly Father: Eternal life is to know God and to know Jesus, the Messiah whom God has sent to us.
You see, when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are guaranteed entrance to heaven when we die. But to fully enjoy eternal life, we must cultivate our relationship with God, progressively getting to know Him better.
Even Jesus had to maintain the life He had with the Father. There were times He had to depart to a mountain or a hillside and just be alone with God. And if Jesus had to do that, certainly we do as well.
It is not just a matter of being born again or going to church once a week to get your spiritual "tank" filled up. Knowing God requires an ongoing fellowship with Him.
It's wonderful that so many people's lives have been touched by God.
However, it's a sad story to me that not all Christians can say, "I have experienced Jesus for myself. I know Him. I have seen Him. I have heard Him. This fellowship I have is with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ."
That should be your testimony. In fact, the only way you will ever be able to fulfill what God has called you to do, whatever that may be, is to know Him intimately and to walk moment by moment in the sweetness of His presence.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”
