Scripture
Today's Bible verse is:
'This is eternal life' Jesus says, and surely whatever follows next must get our full attention.
This sort of knowledge is less like knowing a recipe or knowing a map and more like knowing my wife. I know her but I'm also always getting to know her. My knowing of her deepens as our intimacy increases. Although I would say that I know her quite well now, I also know that I will never reach the point of saying 'I know enough about her now - she is fully known.'
How much more is that true about God the Father? God is infinitely more exciting and mysterious, perplexing and familiar majestic and nearby.
Application
Jesus says that this is eternal life. Eternal life is not something that happens when I die, it is something that 'happens' (or begins) the moment I begin a relationship with the Father. 'When I met her I felt as though my life had finally begun' is a sentiment often expressed by someone in love, it's just that that sentiment finds its fullest expression and fulfilment in knowing the Father.
When we enter into a relationship with him it is as though Shakespeare's words become true of our lives: all that's past is preface.
Everything that went before is merely the beginning and introduction of what can happen now.
So how do we come to know the Father? First of all we admit. We admit that we've been living a life of worshiping other gods. By that I mean we admit that we've been searching for meaning and fulfilment in everything and anything other than God, the Father who made us and loves us. Second of all we turn away from that life. We're sorry for our idolatry. Thirdly we ask him to forgive us. We believe that Jesus' death on the cross was the payment and punishment that our idolatry deserved. We reach out to Jesus and take hold of him, trusting his sacrifice for our acquittal. Fourthly we begin. We begin a life of knowing him, we ask him to teach us, lead us, and fill us with his Spirit.
Admit. Turn. Ask. Begin. Simples.
Prayer
Thank you Father for the eternal life that is mine in Christ. Thank you that by repenting of my old way of life I entered into a new life of knowing you. Thank you that that life is eternal. Please help me to know you all the more. Amen.
Today's Bible verse is:
'Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to all those you have given to him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.'Observation
John 17:1
'This is eternal life' Jesus says, and surely whatever follows next must get our full attention.
This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.Eternal life, that is never ending, full blooded, never giving up, never running out, enhanced life in HD, that sort of life comes from and is found in knowing the Father and the Son. Not just knowing about them, not occasionally firing off a prayer to them when we're in need but knowing them. God is a person after all.
This sort of knowledge is less like knowing a recipe or knowing a map and more like knowing my wife. I know her but I'm also always getting to know her. My knowing of her deepens as our intimacy increases. Although I would say that I know her quite well now, I also know that I will never reach the point of saying 'I know enough about her now - she is fully known.'
How much more is that true about God the Father? God is infinitely more exciting and mysterious, perplexing and familiar majestic and nearby.
Application
Jesus says that this is eternal life. Eternal life is not something that happens when I die, it is something that 'happens' (or begins) the moment I begin a relationship with the Father. 'When I met her I felt as though my life had finally begun' is a sentiment often expressed by someone in love, it's just that that sentiment finds its fullest expression and fulfilment in knowing the Father.
When we enter into a relationship with him it is as though Shakespeare's words become true of our lives: all that's past is preface.
Everything that went before is merely the beginning and introduction of what can happen now.
So how do we come to know the Father? First of all we admit. We admit that we've been living a life of worshiping other gods. By that I mean we admit that we've been searching for meaning and fulfilment in everything and anything other than God, the Father who made us and loves us. Second of all we turn away from that life. We're sorry for our idolatry. Thirdly we ask him to forgive us. We believe that Jesus' death on the cross was the payment and punishment that our idolatry deserved. We reach out to Jesus and take hold of him, trusting his sacrifice for our acquittal. Fourthly we begin. We begin a life of knowing him, we ask him to teach us, lead us, and fill us with his Spirit.
Admit. Turn. Ask. Begin. Simples.
Prayer
Thank you Father for the eternal life that is mine in Christ. Thank you that by repenting of my old way of life I entered into a new life of knowing you. Thank you that that life is eternal. Please help me to know you all the more. Amen.