1 John 5:11-13
“And this is the record: that God has given us eternal life, and this life
is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son
of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and
that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”
The bible
passage contains truths which provide great power and comfort for Christians. Continuing in a “word” study within the text
gives us a better knowledge and understanding for application in our daily lives.
I read that
the word “record” needs amplification. In noun
form, “μαρτυρία” martyria
means “the evidence
given,” and in verb form it means “testify,” or “witness.” The apostle John
used it nine times in verses 7 through 11. Study of our text and its context
shows that the record mentioned is none other than the great truth that Christ
Jesus was God’s only Son, and that He died as a perfect and fully sufficient sacrifice
to provide us life eternal.
In this
passage, we see that this work of bestowing eternal life is God’s work. It is “not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to his mercy he saved us” – Titus 3:5. This eternal
life is our present possession, for He has “given”
it to us (past tense). This gift is to individuals—to “us”—not to a nation or
even the church, but to those who have believed. Furthermore, this
“eternal life” is eternal! It will last for eternity and cannot be taken away.
It is inconceivable for an omnipotent God to give “eternal life” temporarily.
We are alive in Him, having been “born again” into His family. This is a
permanent situation.
1 John 5:20
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding,
that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son
Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
The tense
shifts to the present in the above Bible verse. Our life finds its vitality in
living union with the Son. His death and resurrection made salvation and
eternal life possible, and now His present life is ours. His Spirit, resident
within us, provides this vitality, and since the Spirit of God is eternal, our
life is eternal. God has given to us eternal life. Praise be to God!
In Christ,
Brian
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