Eternal Life and Knowing God

Day By Day By Grace

Bob Hoekstra

April 13, 2010


"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)

This statement by the Lord Jesus begins in a very profound manner: "And
this is eternal life." To complete such a statement requires
comprehensive truth. If the statement had started with "this is
included in eternal life," many non-comprehensive matters could be used
to finish the statement. One could rightly state that forgiveness of
sins is included in eternal life. One could properly say that escaping
hell and securing heaven are included in eternal life. Likewise, one
could say that meaning and purpose for living are included in eternal
life. Additionally, one could state that spiritual gifts and spiritual
fruit are also included. Furthermore, one could say that fellowship in
the body of Christ and new understanding of the Scriptures are
included. Nevertheless, none of these individually, nor all of these
collectively, are sufficient to complete the statement: "And this is
eternal life."

To finish that profound beginning, one must add an all-encompassing
truth. One must speak of the full dimensions of eternal life. What is
large enough to complete that majestic opening? Only the one reality of
knowing God would be adequate: "that they may know You." Yes, knowing
God is what eternal life is all about. It is only through meeting the
Lord that forgiveness is found. It is only by being in Christ that we
escape hell and secure heaven. Then, it is only through getting
acquainted with the Lord that meaning and purpose for our lives are
made real to us. Also, it is only through a growing intimacy of trust
in Christ that spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit can properly mature.
Furthermore, it is only through an increasing acquaintanceship with the
Lord that Christian fellowship and biblical insight are appropriately
developed.

These truths certainly concur with those prophetic words of old that
promised a new covenant of grace to replace the old covenant of law. "I
will make a new covenant...not according to the covenant that I made
with their fathers...But this is the covenant that I will make...I will
put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be
their God, and they shall be My people...they all shall know Me, from
the least of them to the greatest of them" (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Hebrews
8:11 applies these words to followers of Christ. "All shall know Me,
from the least of them to the greatest of them." The new covenant
provides a growing, intimate acquaintanceship for all who will walk in
its terms of grace.

Dear Father, I confess that I have often thought and behaved as though
eternal life were less than knowing You. Help me to understand and to
live the very essence of Your new covenant of grace--Your provisions
for allowing me to grow in knowing You, through Christ Jesus, my Lord,
Amen.