I ask the question not to provide a “how to” answer. I am really interested in knowing if a relationship with God is something people truly desire.
Peter wrote this: “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…” (1 Peter 3:18).
The Gospel is an invitation to enjoy a personal and intimate relationship with God.
There is nothing standing in the way. Christ’s death removed all obstacles.
But is relationship what we really want?
I’ve talked to many believers who love the forgiveness aspect of the Gospel, that God does not condemn them. They really enjoy knowing they stand in the righteousness of Christ, holy and blameless.
I do too. But these truths are not the end. These truths free us to enjoy Him.
Consider this promise of the New Covenant – “No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest” (Hebrews 8:11).
New Covenant living is all about relationship. Eternal life is all about knowing Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
But is this what people want?
What are your thoughts?
Tag: Relationship
My Favorite Bible Passages — #2
How would you define eternal life? The next of my favorite Bible passages answers this question. The passage (verse) is John 17:3.
“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3 ESV).
There is no other passage or verse that defines eternal life in such plain language. The word eternal forces you to think of life that lasts forever. And certainly it does. But here Jesus speaks to the quality of eternal life. Here are just a few of the reasons I love this verse.
- Jesus’ definition helps me see that Christianity is all about relationship. For two thousand years, believers have been quick to say that “Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.” This verse makes that point better than any other.
- I think all roads in the Bible lead to this verse. Knowing Jesus, knowing His love, forgiveness and grace, is the pinnacle of human experience. The Gospel opens this door and delivers us to this end.
- This relationship with Jesus, eternal life, impacts every area of my life – attitudes, thinking, actions and relationships. Knowing Jesus changes us.
If you haven’t given this verse much thought before, hopefully this post will inspire you to give it a fresh look. When I did, it helped me see that I could experience eternal life here and now.