"And the result is eternal life."

Eternal life always is the result of righteous, holy behavior. Jesus Christ came so we might live a righteous, holy life, being sternly obedient to God our Father.

First we cultivate eternal life by becoming a slave to God. Then we reap immortality in the body. This is the Divine plan of salvation.

Let us see how the Lord Jesus defined eternal life.

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

Notice that eternal life is not referring to endless existence but to the knowledge of God.

Knowing God in this sense is not referring to knowing about God. Theology and doctrine teach us about God. But knowing God refers to the daily pressing into His Presence and will.

The age of moral horrors, the hour of temptation, is at hand. We will not be able to stand in Christ during the coming days unless we are living in intense, continual, consistent interaction with the living Jesus.

The Judge is standing at the door of your heart. He is asking to come in to you and to dine with you on His own body and blood so you might live by Him as He lives by the Father.

You must receive the hidden manna, His body and blood, each day. You receive the body and blood of the Lord Jesus, which themselves are the new covenant, as you turn away from your adamic desires and choose to do the Lord's will. As you choose to do the Lord's will every moment of every day He feeds you with His own Life. Jesus Christ is the Tree of Life, and you are permitted to eat of Him as you overcome the world, your flesh, and your self-will.

It is by living in very close daily relationship with the living Jesus, talking to Him, asking His wisdom for every decision you make, that you come to know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. It is this personal relationship with God through Christ that itself is eternal life. This is what eternal life is—life lived in the Substance and Presence of God through Christ. It is to partake constantly of His Divine Virtue and Nature.

If you desire to live in God in Christ, then tell the Lord about it right now and ask Him to direct you. Rest assured that He indeed shall answer your prayer for this is what He desires for you.

How does eternal life reveal itself in our personality and behavior? The following are some of the attributes and attitudes characteristic of Divine Life. They cannot be found in the adamic nature except in a fragile, corrupted form.

* An understanding of God's Person, ways, will, and eternal purpose in Christ. As we learn to live in God's Presence we come to understand His Person and will.

There have been arguments throughout church history concerning the nature of the Godhead. The Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, cannot be understood by any logical, systematic analysis. The Godhead must be experienced. It is as we abide in Christ that He reveals the Father to us. Then we know we are in Christ and in the Father, and the Father and Christ are in us.

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:19,20—NIV)

To be continued.