among many, but the one and only revelation of the Godhead. Through- out John’s Gospel, the Son reveals God fully. To know Christ is to know the Father.
Benefits
importance: Christ cannot be separated about the blessings of salvation—for- eternal life itself. Yet none of these exist apart from Christ as “things” to be dis- only in union with Christ – in him. This keeps us from making idols of his gifts. It is dangerous and possible to desire what Christ gives rather than Jesus himself. A person may want re- lief from guilt, peace in suffering, pur- pose in life, or even heaven itself while remaining uninterested in Christ. - cludes this possibility. Eternal life is not merely receiving gifts from Christ. It is receiving and knowing Christ – being united to him through faith. By the Holy Spirit, believers are joined to Him so that what belongs to Him becomes theirs. His righteous- ness becomes theirs before God. His life becomes theirs. His standing be- fore the Father becomes theirs. But person. To receive salvation is to receive Christ himself.
Tense
Another important feature of John 17:3 is its tense. Jesus says, “This is eternal life.” Eternal life is not some- thing simply future and durational. It begins now and is qualitative. This distinction is seen only by looking at the Greek New Testament. Scripture uses two different words that can both be translated “life”: (bios) and (zoe). refers to simple existence — this kind of existence is the kind that ani- mals have (think of biology). It is the word connected to livelihood, pos- sessions, anxieties, and temporal con- cerns. It is the “alive, but not really liv- ing” word for life – merely existence.
July/August 2026
The New Testament uses it in phrases such as “the cares of this life,” “the pride of life,” and “the pleasures of life.” But is different. This is the word Jesus uses in John 17:3. In Scripture, becomes the highest kind of life — the “now THIS is LIVING” sort of life. It is true life, eternal life, life in communion with God. It is not merely existence but partici- pation in the life of God Himself. A person may have yet remain spiritually dead. refers to life as God intends it. This eternal life is a present reality already possessed by believers. In John 3:16, when Jesus says, “but have eternal life,” it is very literally, “but is having eternal life.” That is, right now, already begun. The Christian life is not merely prepara- tion for a future existence; it is participation in eternal life now, though not yet in its fullness. So then, Christianity is not merely moral improvement or eschatological hope. It is present, vital communion with the living God through Christ now. To commune with God is to grow in knowing and loving Him. (See 2 Peter 3:18.) This isn’t simply an accumulation of facts about him. It is fellowship with Christ through his Word, prayer, and the sacraments, by the Spirit. The goal is not simply information about Christ but communion with and love for Christ. As this knowledge deepens, we are changed. The things that once controlled
longer function as ultimate sources of identity or meaning. Contentment emerges (because we have Jesus, we have enough). To know Christ is to be changed by Him.
Transforms
Later in John 17, Jesus prays, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Knowing God transforms us. As people come to know Him more, they are made after His likeness. This transformation isn’t immediate or perfect. Christians will still struggle with sin, doubts, fears, and weakness. But they are being changed. The person who once lived entirely for achievement comes to recognize its empti- endless pursuit of “more” loses its grip because knowing Jesus becomes all. Paul expresses this clearly in Philippians 3:8. Knowing Christ does not merely add something valuable to life. It reprioritizes life entirely. Every other value is reevaluated in relation to Him.
This brings us back to the opening scenario. The couple at the cabin experienced a glimpse of fullness: peace, presence, beauty, contentment. Yet even experiences like this are temporary. They fade. Circumstances change. communion with God. To know and love Christ is to begin living the life we were created for. Our dissatisfaction and restlessness is addressed not by achieving per- fect circumstances but by communion with God. In Christ, forgiveness, righteous- ness, peace, adoption, and eternal life are all given because Jesus himself is given. He is not merely the means to something greater. He is the greater thing. He is the Jesus prays that His people would be with Him and see His glory (John 17:24). What begins now in part will one day be perfected. Believers will know Him fully, without sin, distance, or interruption. Every present experience of joy, peace, beau- The fullness of eternal life is unbroken communion with God through Christ by the Spirit forever. (See 1 Corinthians 13:12.) - self. Jesus speaks to our longing: This is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Reverend Nick Napier is the pastor of Huntersville ARP Church in Huntersville, NC. 13
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