January 2, 2002

THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE

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

To know and believe in God and Jesus Christ is to have eternal life (see John 3:14-16). Jesus confirmed the importance of getting to know Him when He said, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life" (John 5:39, 40). Searching the scriptures without getting to know it's Author is hopeless. Getting to know the Author of the scriptures is everything.

Speaking of His followers, Jesus said, "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one" (John 10:28-30). Paul confirms that "the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Paul provides a little more detail as to how Jesus became our Saviour and life giver when he wrote, "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8, 9).

"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:11-13).

My Prayer Today: Lord, help us to truly know You that we may experience the eternal life that You came to give.