John 17:3 - "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
1 John 2:3-5 - "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."
1 John 4:7-8 - "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
John 14:15 - "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
They also helped clarify why the greatest commandments are the greatest:
Matthew 22:35-40 -
"35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
In studying these scriptures, it seems clear to me that knowing God is essential for Eternal Life. We can only know Him by keeping his commandments and loving (loving both him and others). Because God wants us to qualify for exaltation and return to him, he has given us the two greatest commandments, which if followed will lead us to eternal life. If knowing God is loving others and Him and keeping his commandments, I ask you this question: "Do you know God?"
To take this one step further, King Benjamin taught: "For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served,and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" (Mosiah 5:13). In the same address he also taught that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).
So, if serving our fellowman is how we best serve God, and we can't know God without serving him, I again ask you this question: "Do you know God?"
Those who know God must fit a certain profile, which in this world will make them stand out among their peers. Some of the attributes in this profile would be service oriented, obedient to God's commandments, puts God first, loves everyone. Sounds a lot like the attributes of the Savior, which may be why he taught: "what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3 Nephi 27:27).
As we follow the example of the Savior, we will come to know God and thus be prepared to receive eternal life. This is why he beacons, "Come, Follow Me."
Matthew 22:35-40 -
"35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
In studying these scriptures, it seems clear to me that knowing God is essential for Eternal Life. We can only know Him by keeping his commandments and loving (loving both him and others). Because God wants us to qualify for exaltation and return to him, he has given us the two greatest commandments, which if followed will lead us to eternal life. If knowing God is loving others and Him and keeping his commandments, I ask you this question: "Do you know God?"
To take this one step further, King Benjamin taught: "For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served,and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" (Mosiah 5:13). In the same address he also taught that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).
So, if serving our fellowman is how we best serve God, and we can't know God without serving him, I again ask you this question: "Do you know God?"
Those who know God must fit a certain profile, which in this world will make them stand out among their peers. Some of the attributes in this profile would be service oriented, obedient to God's commandments, puts God first, loves everyone. Sounds a lot like the attributes of the Savior, which may be why he taught: "what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3 Nephi 27:27).
As we follow the example of the Savior, we will come to know God and thus be prepared to receive eternal life. This is why he beacons, "Come, Follow Me."
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