June 18, 2019
Good Morning Fellow Travelers,
Read: John 14:1-21
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
The words of Christ in His prayer to His Father are profound in every respect. He answers a question here that has plagued man since the beginning, “How can I know God?” This question is supremely important because of the words in our text verse. Eternal life is in knowing God as Father, and in knowing Jesus Christ.
I want eternal life more than anything else on the earth, or in heaven. To live eternally with God in His eternal abode, to live with Christ in His glory, surpasses any other grand desire I have ever had. What about you? Reaching this bliss, this ecstasy, is only possible when we know God and His Son.
John 14 reveals a secret that we must consider here, the secret to knowing God. The way to God is Christ, the truth is Christ, and the life is Christ. Christ answers Thomas’ question by revealing that when we know the Son we know the Father. He says, “From now on you know the Father, and you have seen the Father.” To Philip He says, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.”
One more important truth is revealed to us in Scripture. Obedience is the best teacher to knowing God, and failing to obey is the greatest hindrance to knowing him. I John 2:3 states, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” Do the truth and you will know and love the truth. Follow the way of Christ and you will know and love the way. Follow the life and you will know and love the life.
It is not enough to just talk about it, or have some head knowledge about God. Unless you are willing to start obeying Christ, you will be forever wandering in the desert, knowing neither the Father or the Son. “To do” is your only refuge. If you realize you have not been obeying the things you know Christ wants you to do, confess that and ask for His forgiveness and grace to start a new life of obeying Him.
~~ James Baer
