WHAT CAN YOU KNOW? Devotion 30 of 32 "This is . . . eternal life." (1 John 5:20) -- Tomorrow:
Eternal life is not something merely conferred upon us, as a mantel is thrown upon a person, or an indelible mark placed on us. Nor, indeed, is it an impersonal condition into which we are locked upon a profession of faith. This text confirms that eternal life is the result of Christ giving us an understanding, that we might know God. Hear the affirmation once again. "And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might 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" (1 John 5:20, NASB).
Some versions apply the words "this is eternal life" to the Lord Jesus Himself. "He is the true God and eternal life" (NIV, NRSV, BBE, DARBY, NAB, NIB). THE New Jerusalem Bible reads, "He is the true God and this is eternal life." There is a sense in which Jesus Himself is "eternal life." John speaks of Him in this way in the first chapter of this Epistle. "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 show unto you THAT ETERNAL LIFE, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.)" (1 John 1:2).
While it is true that Jesus Himself is "eternal life," it is the ministry of Jesus that is the point of this text. John has written in order that believers may know "they have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). Now he proceeds to tell them how they can know this. The God whom Jesus reveals is not a theological idea position. It is the God who dwells within the believer, together with the Lord Jesus. Already John has made a point of this, that is, that is, that God dwells within those who are born of Him, keep His commandments, and love His people. "Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and HE IN HIM" (1 John 3:24). "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, GOD DWELLETH IN HIM, and he in God" (1 John 4:15). "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, AND GOD IN HIM" (1 John 4:16).
The objective of Christ's tutelage is "that we may KNOW HIM that is true" – the One who now dwells within us. Not only does He dwell in us, but we also dwell in Him: "and we are IN HIM that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ." That indwelling – God in us, and us in Him – is not a static condition. It is one of spiritual intimacy and involvement – knowing Him. That intimate knowledge and familiarity constitute eternal life. As Jesus Himself said, "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).
MORE THAN A RELATIONSHIP
Some have referred to this fellowship as a "relationship," as distinguished from the adoption of a mere creed, or living under the imposition of law. While there is some truth to this expression, it falls far short of the reality of the case. The term "relationship" does not infer a favorable or enjoyable condition. Israel had a relationship with God through the Law – the First Covenant – but it was neither favorable nor enjoyable for them because their hearts were far from the Lord. Judas also had a relationship with Christ as an Apostle and the treasurer of the small band, but it was not a good one, for he was "a devil" from the beginning (John 6:70). Satan himself has a relationship to the Lord, being answerable to Him and strictly governed by Him. In fact, the only time the word "relationship" is used in reference to God, in any version, is Romans 2:17, the New International Version. "Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God." Its use is an interpretation of the text, and is not a translation of any word contained in it. In the English, the word itself does include the idea of being "interrelated." It is not, however, precise enough to describe the knowledge of God, which IS eternal life. Interrelationships can be impersonal, mechanical, and perfunctory – as in an employer/employee relationship.
ACQUAINTANCE AND FELLOWSHIP
Eternal life is realized within us, by means of our acquaintance and fellowship with God through Christ Jesus. Once again, Jesus defined eternal life in His intercessory prayer. "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).
Knowing the Lord involves intimacy – familiarity that is personal and productive. It is a formal relationship, but not merely formal. That is, there is a certain structure within knowing God. It is bounded by faith and love, and made solid through spiritual knowledge. However, eternal life involves participation in the Divine nature and partaking of Christ Himself (2 Pet 1:4; Heb 3:14). There is a very real transformation that occurs within those possessing eternal life. Where this does not occur, God is not known. Where God is not known, Jesus has not given an understanding. Where Jesus has not given an understanding, there has been no believing on the name of the son of God.
ETERNAL LIFE IS MEASURED
Eternal life is measured. By that I mean it can be possessed in enlarged proportions. From one perspective, both life and death are fixed. That is, you are either alive or dead. From another perspective, however, there can be smaller or larger measures of both life and death. From one perspective, Lazarus was no more dead than Jairus' daughter. From another, view, however, the length of time that he had been dead yielded greater results – mortification had set in, and he stank. Too, from one point of view, Jacob leaning on his staff and readying himself to die was no more alive than the two young sons of Joseph that he blessed. From another perspective, however, the young boys were more alive, with their life before them, while Jacob's life on earth was now behind him.
So it is with eternal life. There are some who, like John, are closer to the Lord than others. There are also some like Laodicea, who are on the precipice of eternal ruin, even though recovery is possible. The phrase "has everlasting life" (John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47), does not mean all of it is possessed, or that there are no further aspects of it to be enjoyed. If God can be known more fully, eternal life can be experienced more extensively. If the understanding Jesus is giving continues to be received, then eternal life continues to expand and gain dominance within us.
Paul once said he continued to aggressively pursue knowing Christ. "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . I may win Christ . . . that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" (Phil 3:8-10).
Thus growth in eternal life is realized just as surely as growth in natural life is experienced. We can be more sensitive to God, more aware of His will, and more conscious our His acceptance of us. Significant advancement can be made in confidence, assurance, and hope.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for the gift of eternal life, and deliverance from lifeless and vain religion.