This is eternal life ...

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

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In an age where intellect and knowledge seem to be so important to us it is refreshing that Jesus tells his disciples that it is not what you know but who you know. He tells us in these few verses that eternal life is not about know the right words to say or embracing the correct theology. He says that eternal life is "that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent". Being a Christian has always been about a relationship with God.

Speaking of his life with the Father before the world existed the Lord Jesus reflects a relationship built on honor and glory. He teaches us in these few words about our relationship to God and how it is built on that foundation. In truth, the eternal life of a believer begins when they are born of the Spirit and reflects a life that produces spiritual fruit and is led by the Holy Spirit. This kind of life is eternal and glorifies the Father.

In Jesus Christ there is life eternal. Help me Holy Spirit to glorify the Father and the Son.