by Robert Fudge

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

I recently had someone ask that I explain this passage. I have been putting it off, trying to decide if I wanted to use it as a part of the morning devotionals or if I just wanted to respond to him privately. I have decided to devote several mornings to this subject since one of the greatest problems most of us face is our emotional well-being and that is often the result of our guilty conscience. This passage offers us an assurance and a hope that we can know, without doubt, that God has promised us eternal life.

Some would suggest that God is so loving that in the end he will just save everyone. He will just overlook all our sins and take everyone to heaven. On the other end of theology, there are those who would say that we know because we understand God’s will and keep it and thus by our own righteousness we have assurance that we are saved. Neither of these extremes is in keeping with what the Bible teaches. God’s justice requires that sin be punished with death (eternal separation from God). In order to meet his justice, God has given his son Jesus, to live as a man, without sin, and then give his life as a substitute for us. Notice these words in Hebrews 10:19-25: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

If it is the Lord’s will, we will continue this subject for at least the next week.

O God, holy and reverend is your name. Thank you for Jesus who came and died for my sin. Thank you that in your word you have given me reason to have hope and know that I have eternal life. Help me to open my heart to you and prepare myself for that eternity by becoming more like you today. In the name of Jesus my savior I offer this prayer to you.

May God bless each of us as we live for him.