WHAT CAN YOU KNOW? Devotion 13 of 32 By saying we can know we have eternal life, the Spirit has revealed God's objective for us. The promises of God may be summarized in this way: "And this is THE PROMISE that he hath promised us, even eternal life" (1 John 2:25). From the standpoint of our activity, our focus is to "believe on the name of the son of God" – to embrace Him more fully, see Him more clearly, and hear Him more precisely. The result of that will be KNOWING we have eternal life. -- Tomorrow:
When we consider the "hope" to which we have been called (Eph 1:18; 4:4), and that sustains us as an anchor (Heb 6:19), it can also be summarized as "eternal life." As it is written, "In HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:2). Again it is written, "That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE. (Titus 3:7).
From one point of view, "eternal life" has three dimensions. Presently, we "HAVE" eternal life (1 John 5:13). This is in the first fruits sense, for we do not yet have the whole of it. In view of this first dimension, we are to endeavor to apprehend more of this life, taking hold of it, as it was, with both hands. As it is written, "Fight the good fight of faith, LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (1 Tim 6:12). The third dimension is the fulness of eternal life, that will be experienced in "the world to come." Thus Jesus promised, "But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and IN THE WORLD TO COME ETERNAL LIFE" (Mark 10:30).
Any emphasis that does not encourage the knowledge that one has eternal life, the promotion of laying hold on eternal life, and the expectation of its fulness in the world to come, is to be zealously avoided. No theological thrust can possibly be good that does not make much of having, taking hold of, and anticipating, eternal life.
While the objective of this Epistle involves knowing we "have eternal life," the Spirit does not simply restate this over and over. Rather, He makes strong appeals to our faith, grounding it in solid Divine statements. In the kingdom of God, there is a proper direction that teaching must take, Thus inspired men spoke in such a manner as to encourage the realization of Divine objectives. Their aim was not merely to correct wayward conduct, but to assist people in realizing more fully what God had promised to them.
It is no wonder that such powerful affirmations are made by the spirit regarding the possession of eternal life. Although these have already been mentioned, they are worthy of reiteration. "He who believes in the Son HAS everlasting life . . .he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me HAS everlasting life . . . Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me HAS everlasting life . . . Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood HAS eternal life" (John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47,54, NKJV).
DEATH CANNOT TERMINATE IT
Further, this life will not, and cannot, be broken by death, which knowledge causes confidence to spring up in the heart. Death can only enhance the blessing that faith commences. It cannot conclude, abort, or interrupt fellowship with God and Christ, which IS eternal life (John 17:3). Thus Jesus promised, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall NEVER die" (John 11:25-26). Eternal life is not interrupted by death. Knowing God and Christ through vital union and fellowship is not suspended in death. That is why it is written, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8). But it is not enough to simply hear these words, they must be believed, else we will not know we have eternal life.
For those who are in Christ Jesus, death will not make things worse for them. Rather, it will move them into a condition that is called "far better" (Phil 1:23). There is something fundamentally wrong with a theology that views death as an induction into a state of unconsciousness, or lack of awareness. Where there is no awareness, there can be no Divine fellowship, for that fellowship is something in which the human spirit actually participates. If, in regeneration, we are "called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9), you may be certain death will not call us out of that fellowship.
THE REASON FOR DEFEAT
Many a soul has been conquered by the devil because they did not know they possessed eternal life. Some have been subjected to such distorted and confused preaching and teaching that such knowledge is nearly impossible. However, if we do not know we have eternal life, and if we do not realize we are being fitted for glory and the possession of an "eternal inheritance," there really is no reason for life. Religion thus becomes an encumbrance, and satisfaction is sought elsewhere. That is why people embrace religious folly – because they do not know they "have eternal life."
It is my prayer that God will raise up an army of proclaimers who will shine the light upon the gift of eternal life, confirm that it is now possessed, urge that men take hold of it, and assure the saints of God that its fulness in glory is as certain as its first fruits possession is now.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to see more of what is involved in having eternal life.