OceanSide church of Christ
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A STUDY OF 1 JOHN (30)
ETERNAL LIFE
1 John 5:11-13
Victor M. Eskew
John began this epistle with these words: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled , of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us) (1 John 1:1-2). Three times John mentions the word “life’ in these two verses. Jesus is the Word of life. His life was manifested on the earth in the person of Jesus Christ the Son of God. His purpose for coming was to bring eternal life unto all men.
As John nears the end of this letter, he returns to the subject of “Eternal Life” in1 John 5:11-13. As we look at these three verses, we find some answers to questions individuals might have about eternal life. The first question is: “Who Gave Man Eternal Life?” The apostle answers: “”And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life…” (1 John 5:11a). Life is part of the very nature of God. In other words, all life springs from Him and resides in Him (Gen. 2:7; Acts 17:28). As the eternal God, He alone can give eternal life. It is interesting that John speaks of eternal life as a present reality. As a gift, it can be ours right now. As a reality, it will not be ours until the last day. Paul reveals that right now we stand “in hope of eternal life” (Tit. 1:2). Hope, according to Romans 8:24-25, is not something that we have in our possession at this present time. If we presently have it, then it is not something for which to be hoped. The reason the New Testament writers can speak of eternal life as a present possession is because it is absolutely certain. Some refer to such references as the “prophetic present.” We see a similar statement in God’s words to Joshua in the long ago. “See I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor” (Josh. 6:2). Joshua had not taken the city, but God said He had given it to him. The victory was so certain that God said it was his before it was taken. The same is true of eternal life. The promise is real, certain and absolute. It can be said to belong to the Christian even before it is in his literal possession.
The second question is: “Where Is Eternal Life Located?” John reveals the answer to this question in 1 John 5:11b. “…and this life is in his Son.” Sometimes people read the Bible and just pass over words, words that are vitally important. The word of importance in this answer is “in.” Eternal life is “in” Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3 reveals that “all” spiritual blessings are “in Christ.” Eternal life is definitely a spiritual blessing. If eternal life is in Christ, all men should be asking: “How do I get into Christ.” Two verses in the New Testament reveal the answer to us. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized in Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:3). And again: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). The final act in the initial salvation process is baptism. It is the act that puts one into Christ. In Christ, man has grace (2 Tim. 2:1). In Christ, there is salvation (2 Tim. 2:10). And, in Christ is eternal life (1 John 5:11). Individuals can deny the necessity of baptism in the salvation process, but their denial does not harmonize with God’s Word.
The third question is: “What Is the Main Stipulation to Have Eternal Life?” John replies in 1 John 5:12. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” Having the Son is not something man just affirms in his mind. Having the Son involves two important things. One, a person must affirm that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. “…Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God” (1 John 4:2). Second, a person must be obedient to the commandments of Jesus Christ. “But whoso keepth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him” (1 John 2:5). It is not enough to simply believe in the incarnate Son of God. Obedience is also a key element in establishing a relationship with Him. Those who trust and obey have life in the Son. Those who refuse to trust, who refuse to obey, or who refuse to do both do not have life.
The fourth question is one many people ask: “Can A Person Know He Has Eternal Life?” John’s answer is found in 1 John 5:13. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” One of the purposes of John’s epistle was to tell his readers they can “know” they have eternal life. This surprises some believers. They believe that they cannot know they are saved or lost until the day of judgment. That’s a terrifying thought! Paul did not believe that. In 2 Timothy 4:7-8, he writes: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…” There is no doubt in Paul’s mind that he will obtain eternal life in the last day. Listen to Romans 8:16. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” The Holy Spirit does not bear witness to our spirit in some subjective manner. The Holy Spirit has revealed God’s Word to us (2 Pet. 2:20-21). Our spirit involves the rational element of man. We learn what the Holy Spirit demands of us. We comply with those demands. This is when our spirit bears witness with the Holy Spirit. When that happens, we can know we are children of God. As children of God, we know we have eternal life.
In Romans 6:23, Paul writes about eternal life. He places it in contrast to spiritual death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Death and life. These are the only two ends for mankind. One is earned through a life of sin. The other is a gift given by God through His precious Son Jesus Christ. Dear readers, can a man live forever? John tells us the answer to that question. Yes, “he that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 5:12).