As we consider the concept of eternal life, we often consign it to something that lies in our future, yet the New Testament clearly describes eternal life as something that we have in the present, concurrent with our belief. But what does eternal life mean? What makes God’s gift of life, eternal is something far more than quantitative. The eternal life that God gives His children in Christ is a qualitatively different life – that is a life different in substance not in length.
Eternal life is not knowing about God; it is not even knowing the Scripture; it is not a subjective experiential emotion directed toward a nebulous being. Neither is eternal life the result of knowing God. Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus – eternal life is the very relationship. More than mere intellectual understanding, eternal life is a heart knowledge – an intimate fellowship and deep communion with His person manifested in Scripture (His word to us) and prayer (our communication with Him).
