That You May Know

Date: March 28, 2017

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)

Beloved,

Jesus Christ was declared to be the Son of God by the Roman centurion at his crucifixion. Jesus Christ was declared to be the Son of God by the Spirit of holiness in his resurrection from the dead. (Rom.1:4) Jesus Christ being the Son of God secures eternal life for all who believe in his name. John wrote his brief letter to the church to continue to abide in the steadfast belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. John wanted the church of his day to know that they had eternal life as he wants the church of our day to know they have eternal life.

How do we know we have eternal life? We must believe in the name of the Son of God. New Testament believing is not mere acknowledgement of the facts about Jesus Christ, but living in a way that displays our belief. John offers several marks of belief so that we can know that we have eternal life. True believers:

• Walk in the Light as Jesus is in the light (1 John 1:7)
• Confess their sins (1 John 1:9)
• Keep His Word and Commandments (1 John 2:4; 3:24)
• Loves his brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 2:7-9)
• Do not love the world (1 John 2:15-17)
• Remain connected to the church (1 John 2:19)
• Abide in Him (1 John 2:27)
• Practice righteousness (1 John 3:7)
• Listen to God (1 John 4:6)
• Confess that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 4:15)
• Know Father by the Spirit through the Son

Consider your ways. Does your life reveal true belief? We are not saved by our works done in righteousness, but by God’s mercy. Has God’s mercy changed you? Do you believe in the Son of God? Hold fast to Christ as Christ holds fast to you.

As we move forward to celebrate the great and glorious death and resurrection of our Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, let our hearts be encouraged that we have eternal life. We can know God because Jesus purchased our lives through his blood. We will know God more fully still because Jesus was raised from the dead to life. He now promises us eternal life if we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Beloved, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.