This article shows the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ the Messiah. It also melds the three Messianic functions of King, Priest and Prophet.

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John 17:3: And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. (RSV)

We must know the true God. Everyone has his own idea of God, usually based on that person’s education, environment, development and character.

How does one know another person? By that person’s words, deeds and thoughts, and by understanding his experiences and thereby grasping knowledge of his character.

To know one deeply in this way requires a personal relationship, otherwise perceptions or second-hand knowledge can be changed by different influences and syncretised again and again to form a new perception of the one in question.

In approaching the truth about God and Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.

People can be led into choosing a faith that suits their own perceptions of God.

From a political viewpoint religion was also a very useful means to usurp power or to stay in power. It is absurd that church leaders on both sides of the conflict in 1939-1945 blessed the weapons of war.

Others, with no biblical knowledge, ask why God does not intervene in the misery of the world? They consequently hate God and consider Him uncaring. Still others consider Him revengeful.

God addresses those who create Him in man’s image – Psalms 50:21, "you thought that I was one like yourself".

The liberal churches lean to a "God is Love" slogan, and permit all manner of behaviour.

The fact is that 1John 4:8 says, "God is love". That is His character, backed by His words, which are upright (Psa. 33:4) truth (Jn. 17:17) and "are for the good of those who walk uprightly" (Mic. 2:7).

His thoughts are for our future and are our hope (Jer. 29:11). From His thoughts come His deeds that speak His love (Jn. 3:16,17), where He sent His Son to be sacrificed so that all humanity might be saved. All these Scriptures give a positive view of God the Father’s mercy and goodness (Mat. 23:37b; Jn. 1:10,11).

What is the role of Jesus with the God of Love? He is "The Son of Love" (Mk. 1:11), as is also recorded in Colossians 1:13. He is "the image of the invisible God" in Colossians 1:15.

Knowing the God of Love, the only true God, and His Son Jesus Christ is essential to eternal life (Jn. 17:3).

They are a unity – John 14:6; 6:44.

God sent the Messiah on a mission, and the functions were to be King, Priest and Prophet.

As King He has all power and authority given by the Father (Mat. 28:18).

As Priest He has been appointed the only mediator between God and man (Jn. 3:17, Heb. 5:9, 1Tim. 2:5).

As Prophet He is a teacher of righteousness from the Torah (Mk. 7:6-13: Mat. 5:17-19).

If any one of these functions is negated, Christ is not who the Bible shows Him to be.

If He is not a King, He cannot have power and authority over the faithful.

If He is not a Priest, there is no atonement for the sins of mankind and the fallen Host.

If He were not a Prophet He would not then teach the Torah to the faithful, and without the Law, all perish.

So from the above we can see that God the Father and Jesus Christ the Messiah are entitled to our love.

The Eternal God says in Jeremiah 31:3: "I have loved thee with an everlasting love". He asks us in Proverbs 23:26: "My son, give me thine heart".

Do not omit to improve the quality of our life – we are invited to be part of the family of God.