In 1 John 5:11, John wrote, “And this is the testimony: that
God has given us eternal life...” Notice three things he tells
us about eternal life in 1 John 5:11-13...
The Availability of Eternal Life
John wrote in verse 11, “God has given us eternal
life.” God, by sending His Son to the world to suffer and die
on the cross, has made available eternal life to the entire
world. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life.” 1 John 2:2 tells
us that Christ is the propitiation, ,not only for our sins, but
also for the whole world. God gave His son for the world,
and Christ died for the world. This makes salvation
available and attainable for everyone. It matters not how
sinful one has been, if he will come to Jesus with belief in his
heart and obedience in his actions, he will obtain eternal life
John spoke of the availability of eternal life, he also spoke
of...
The Attainment of Eternal Life
Verses 11 and 12 say, “...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.” Christ died to make available
eternal life to everyone, but there is something one must do
in order to attain this life. He must get into Christ.
Throughout the Bible, God seems to have always placed His
blessing in something. Salvation for Noah was found in the
Ark. Salvation for the children of Israel when God killed the
firstborn was in the house. Salvation for the one who
accidentally killed someone was found within a city of
refuge. And salvation from our eternal souls is found in
Jesus (2 Timothy 2:10). Paul tells us how to get into Christ,
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put
on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Have you been baptized into
Christ for the remission of your sins, (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter
3:21). John spoke of the availability of eternal life, and the
attainment of eternal life, but also...
The Assurance of Eternal Life
Verse 13 says, “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...” We can know, right now,
that we will go to heaven when we die. We don’t have to
live life wallowing around in spiritual limbo wondering
whether or not we will make it to heaven should we die. We
can know! John tells us here how we may know in the rest
of verse 13, “and that you may continue to believe in the
name of the Son of God.” Obey the gospel, remain faithful
to the Lord, and you can live your life with that blessed
assurance that you will go to heaven when you die.
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