What is eternal life?

And this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

The glory, beauty, and holiness of eternity is not a detached, distant future event, but is our inheritance as sons and daughters of the living God that we have access to in the now. Our ideas of eternity do not have to be relegated to off in the distance hopes of lying on a cloud and playing a harp. On the contrary the heartbeat of eternity is experiential relationship with God in the present. When we sense, touch, place our hands on, taste and move in communion with the Holy Spirit we are thrust into eternal life now.

Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is at hand," when he walked on the planet with the sons of men. Everywhere Jesus went He released the fragrance of heaven on the earth, and manifested the eternal God in the now. Eternity was on display before the eyes of men and love commanded the atmosphere. Where Christ was, eternity was seen, heard, and felt. Yet eternity was still distant. Men and women who encountered Christ experienced eternity, but only a fuzzy glimpse of the outer rim. They could not perceive the inner workings of Christs being: His thoughts, opinions, the deep desires, the inner chambers of His heart. But I pose to you that through the cross the sons and daughters of God have access into the consuming fire of the eternal Gods heart; access into becoming one with the Maker of heaven and earth, the Father of Glory and His son Jesus Christ. We have access to experience eternity now!

Many today in the body of Christ are experiencing heaven on earth, being thrusted into the heartbeat of eternity through a deep abiding relationship in Christ. Not a knowing from a distance, not a knowing of the mind, but a rapturous experience that consumes mind, body and soul. A knowing that quenches and breeds a disdain for every pleasure not rooted in Christ. A knowing that creates a ravenous, everlasting hunger in their souls for more of Him. And yet, at the very same time there are many in the body of Christ who have more experiential encounter with their jobs, family, and temporal things of this passing earth than the One they were created to be in communion with. They are living as though in the distant future they hope to one day have access to eternity and Gods kingdom when it is Gods greatest desire to share Himself and His kingdom now for those who want Him. Due to the deception of a distant God they settle for the pleasures of the world and have little to no experience with eternity; little to no experience with Christ.

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9,10

Seeing things that have not been seen, hearing things that have not been heard, and understanding possibilities, emotions, realms, experiences, and ideas that have never been perceived by man. This is our portion: to know God. And this is our inheritance: to have eternal life in the one who laid down His life for us, Jesus Christ!!

Nothing besides Christ can satisfy the deep inner workings of our mind, body and souls. We were made for nothing less! Who is willing to surrender everything to know this Jesus, to know eternity? And what is worth not receiving Him? The further we surrender our body, soul and mind to be conformed to His likeness, the greater we taste of His glory, and the more we will encounter eternity!

And this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

-Cody