“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
I want to focus on this word “know”, a word in today's age that is overlooked, yet has eternal implications in the Kingdom of God! This word is G1097 in the Strong’s and is the Greek word ginosko, which is used 223x in the KJV and means:
1. to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of, perceive, feel, to understand
2. to become acquainted with, to know in an intimate way
Many people will say they know God or a higher power exists, but the next part is typically a 50/50 mix. When the name of Jesus is presented, half flee or begin going down a demonic path of deception on their idea of who He is. The other half say “yeah I know Jesus, or I believe in Jesus.” Is there more to it than this simple statement or confession? A persons confession must ultimately look like something, or in this case someone! Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-24)
Let’s expand on “intimacy.” What does the Word of God say?
“Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34)
This is the same Greek word above. Understand Mary is a virgin, being visited by Gabriel, an angel of God. He has come to reveal to her that she will conceive and give birth to a son, and that she is to name him Jesus (v. 31). In the next verse he tells her Jesus is the Son of God. Mary then questions him about how this can be, since she is a virgin and has never been intimate with a man.
The Merrriam-Webster dictionary's definition of intimacy is: the state of being intimate (familiarity); something of a personal or private nature. The definition of intimate is: marked by a warm friendship developing through long association; suggesting informal warmth or privacy.
Let’s make a quick tie here, John 17:3 says, “… that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ.” So eternal life is about building a personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Eternal life is not some future thing that happens when we pass on. We are all in a measure of eternity now, and the Word of God says our life here is but a vapor (James 4:14).
Beloved, the fact is every heartbeat you are given is a miracle of God, and if He decides to stop the next beat you will pass into eternity! You are a heartbeat from eternity!
“For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
How can you expect to spend all of eternity worshiping the One whom Heaven adores if you don’t even know who He is now?
I pray this verse marks you with a deep passion to truly know Jesus, and to pursue Him with great hunger and thirst, for this is eternal life!!!