And opened the life gate
that all may go in.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (Jn. 17:3)
What is the life gate that leads to eternal life? Jesus. Through Jesus, one comes to know God. Not just an intellectual knowledge, but a knowledge that is intimately acquainted with Him through personal experience. Genesis 4:1 uses the same word for “know”, “Adam knew Eve, his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain.” He didn’t just know her from a distance; he had an intimate, personal relationship with her. God desires to have a personal connection with each individual. Of course, man cannot know everything about God any more than a child can understand the thoughts and ways of his parents. But man can know that God is wise, just, loving, kind, and faithful. And a child can appreciate his parent’s abilities, confident that they will provide for his needs and give him good advice for carrying out his life. Christians cannot understand God’s ways or thoughts, for they are higher than man’s (Is. 55:9), but they can appreciate His attributes, trust His Word, and live their life daily choosing to trust in Jesus.
When we have an intimate relationship with the Lord, we will naturally inspire those whose lives our life touches at home, at work, at church and in the neighborhood. Like the fresh fragrance of a rose penetrating the air, we become the aroma of Christ when we choose to rise above the thorns in our life. God gives us opportunities every day to discover the beauty of trusting Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith. We pray that our children and loved ones will develop an intimate and personal connection with the Lord, keeping our eyes fixed on our ultimate destiny–heaven. When the day comes and we enter our eternal home, we will live with Jesus, feasting at His table, lifting our voices with the angels, singing praises to God. Our eternal home in heaven will never end.
Do you have an intimacy with the Lord? What kind of example are you to those around you? Is your relationship with Him visible to those in your circle of influence? How can you be the fragrance of Christ today? Are you able to seek the face of God and sing praise to Him amid the battle set before you this day? Why not make a small step toward eternal life and choose a greater intimate connection with Him today? He is there, waiting, ready to receive even the smallest offering you would give Him. “He has opened the life gate that all may go in.”