(Jesus praying to The Father) “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)
Jesus says that eternal life is knowing God (and Jesus Christ).
I used to get hung up on the word “eternal” in the phrase “eternal life”, but the emphasis here is on eternal life. It’s not about existing forever – the Bible says that all people will exist for eternity. After our relatively short lifetime we die, but we all will be awakened and will exist forever. “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matt 25:46 NIV) The goal is to have life and to have life one must know God (and Jesus Christ). The word “know” (Greek ginōskō or Hebrew yada`), here, means to have an intimate, deep understanding; to know by experience or to perceive and see, find out and discern. For example, “Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived” (Gen 4:1). And, “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving (knowing)’” (Mt 13:14) And, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven … Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!‘” (Mt 7:21-23).
Do you want abundant life now and eternal life to come? Make it your #1 priority to know Him.