John 17:3 HCSB
This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent–Jesus Christ.
I can’t say what the most incredible verse or passage is to me, but this really stuck out when I read it while reading a commentary. Not just to know God is there but to really know Him. Is this not absolutely amazing? I think about this all the time. Let’s never take it for granted.
This is what eternal life is which I would gather is a little different than salvation. Am I right in making that distinction? I’ve never thought about that before.
It is an incredible verse. We might say, “This is eternal life: the gift of living forever,” but the book of John just looks right past that definition and defines it as knowing the only true God and the one he has sent. It’s startling wording, and it’s great stuff.
As to eternal life being different from salvation, you’ve asked a question I think most people never get to the point of even asking. We just assume that salvation is eternal life.
Watchman Nee, a Chinese Bible teacher, was discussing baptism when he made a distinction between the two. His opinion, for whatever it might be worth, is that salvation is a spiritual distinction of being saved from the world, which one only receives through belief in Jesus Christ and baptism. Eternal life, on the other hand, is in his mind the knowledge of the true God and his Son which leads to eternal life in heaven, which is granted only on the condition of belief, baptism notwithstanding. Just a thought.
God bless you.
Well, the cool thing about this verse is that John defines what exactly is eternal life, not living life without end, but actually knowing God.
Knowing God is what is so awesome about this verse.
Nice words Mitchell and TC.
I’ve read Nee and he has some good stuff and some a little weird. His quote though is exactly what I was thinking.
Jeff
Hear is a comment from Jason and Tonya via email. Thanks for sending it even though you couldn’t get through here:
“Interestingly enough, we find that Jesus came to show us the Father (Jn 1:18;2Cor 4:1-6). Having glorified the Father in manifesting His greatness, Jesus returned to His Father’s right hand. Today, we trust Christ, become sons of God, and are indwelt by the Spirit. In eternity we experience and enjoy a never ending feast of knowing God by His grace to us in Christ (Eph 2:4-7). How sad it would be to have a fire escape from hell, but nothing to do with our lives and eternity. Now that’s Full Gospel
(Said with tongue firmly planted in cheek.)”
Was inspired to read this thread, and the replies.
Jeff, I just wanted to say thanks for all your time and effort you put in this year to bless us. I pray God will you give you wisdom and discernment also in 2010 for what to write about. And I pray you and your loved one will have a great Christmas time.
For me John 17:3, and Ephesians 1:3, stand out as truly amazing. To know God, and to know that we have all spiritual blessing in Christ! Now, that can make a man shout of joy for days, or just keep him quiet for days in amazement. Truly – God is amazing. He sent his only Son, that we may be saved, granted eternal life, that is to know him, and so we may enjoy his love and fellowship, and stand in awe of his holiness. Amazing grace.
You’re welcome and thank you for the kind words and the prayer. You too have a great Christmas.
I wish that more people could experience that awe and want to know God better through reading the Bible. I feel the same way about Ephesians 1. I’m the quiet type but it’s there just as much.
Jeff
Amen to Erik.
Just a note on Nee–yep, he gets a bit weird at points, especially if you’re reading his teaching through the lenses of the “local church” movement that claims him. (They’re the folk behind Living Stream publishers, and they once sued a Christian writer for referring to them a cult in one of his books. They lost. You just can’t just sue people for saying you’re a cult. In fact, it makes you seem cultier.)
With Nee, I’d say he’s a great thinker, but you’ve gotta be careful just automatically believing him. But I greatly enjoy his books (as translated by Christian Fellowship Publishing).
Merry Christmas!