by Daniel Mcclellan

Created on: April 29, 2008

My favorite verse in the Bible is a simple verse. I memorized it years ago in a number of different languages, and since then I've been blessed with the opportunity to share it in two different hemispheres and in several different countries. The verse comes from Christ's great Intercessory Prayer, found in John 17. Verse 3 reads: "And this is eternal life, to know you, the only true God, and him whom you have sent: Jesus Christ" (my own translation).

Throughout the scriptures we find counsel, encouragement, warnings, and reminders, all meant to lead us to live better lives; but in only one place do we find the very purpose of our existence. It is not only to keep the commandments, to get along with our fellow man, to help the widows and the orphans, or even to worship God. The purpose of our existence, both here and in eternity, is to come to know God and his son.

How is this done? We must first discover what keeps us from knowing God. When Adam and Eve transgressed and were expelled from the Garden of Eden, they could hear the voice of God, but they could not see him. They could no longer walk with him, converse with him, or enjoy his presence. They were cut off. We all inherit a disposition to sin, and this perpetuates our separation from God. The good news of the gospel is that our relationship can be mended, and Christ is our surgeon. The scriptures speak of reconciliation, which is the bringing together again in friendship or council of two parties. The word is used frequently, but the most important part of its meaning is often ignored. We strive to come together with God AGAIN. Our separation from God makes us sojourners in a strange land, but our home is with God. Reconciliation through the atonement of Christ is the restoration of our original relationship with God. We must come to know him, not for the first time, but again, and eternally.

This is possible only through the atonement of Christ. As we become one with Christ through our faith, we become perfect in him. We establish a spiritual bond with him that completely overcomes our imperfections. Christ is infinite good, which, combined with any degree of sin, will still be infinite good. We cannot fail in such a partnership, and as we remain in Christ we come to know him, not as an abstraction, or an impenetrable and incomprehensible ideal, but as a friend and a companion. We grow to know how it feels to be propped up by his hand in our darkest hours. We grow to recognize his countenance in others.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>