1 John 5:13 - Homiletics

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On believers knowing that they have eternal life.

Connecting link: The statements which have just been made point out very clearly who have the eternal life and who have it not. But it is quite possible that such statements may exist, may be before a man's eye, may have been read over again and again, and yet they may have been left unapplied to himself by him who reads them. But it is not enough to know what the eternal life is, and what are the marks of its existence. It is all-important for the individual himself to possess the life, and to indicate it by its appropriate signs. And it is also important—though it cannot be said to be equally so—that, if a man has this life, he should know that he has it. Hence the apostle declares that the object of his writing thus has been that those who believe on the Name of the Son of God should know, clearly and decisively, that they have life, and that the life they have is an eternal one. Topic— On believers knowing that they have eternal life.

I. TO EVERY ONE WHO BELIEVES IN CHRIST THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE BELONGS . This is the repeated and clear declaration of the Word of God ( John 5:24 ; John 6:47 ; John 3:36 ; John 3:12 ; Romans 6:23 ; John 1:12 compared with Romans 8:17 , Romans 8:38 , Romans 8:39 ). (For remarks on the meaning and contents of eternal life, see homily on 1 John 2:25 .)

II. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A TRUE BELIEVER TO BE UNAWARE OF HIS WEALTH . He may have the life eternal and not know it. So, at any rate, the Apostle John declares, by implication, in this verse. We gather this:

1 . From such Scriptures as the one before us.

2 . From observation. Have we not known many of the most devout believers in Christ "go mourning all their days" through the lack of the full assurance of faith and hope?

3 . From experience. There are times, even with those who usually live in the sunshine of God's love, when their joys seem clouded over. It may be asked—What are the causes of this uncertainty? They are various. Probably no two cases are exactly alike; but, among others, we suggest

III. SUCH IGNORANCE OF OUR REAL POSITION IS MOST UNDESIRABLE .

1 . It seriously hinders spiritual joy. Who can glory in the hope of heaven when he cannot tell whether he is an heir of its bliss?

2 . It dishonours God; for it casts reflection on the completeness of his provision for his children's peace, when believers seem as if they never knew whether they were children of God or no.

3 . It cripples their advocacy of the cause of God. How unattractive the invitation to believe in Christ will seem when it comes from one who is moaning and groaning, instead of singing the songs of Zion!

4 . It will seriously interfere with their progress. Men cannot walk fast if their legs are like lead rather than like cork.

IV. THE TEACHING OF GOD 'S WORD IS INTENDED AND ADAPTED TO REMOVE THAT IGNORANCE .

1 . There are four things clearly unfolded concerning the life eternal.

—even faith, righteousness, love; where these are, the man is born of God and has the eternal life.

2 . By the careful and candid application to his own case of these four lines of teaching, a man may come to a distinct and decisive conclusion as to his possession of eternal life. For, be it ever remembered, this eternal life is not to be regarded as something which is to commence in the next state of being, but as something already possessed, to be tested and verified now, as a blessed possession over which death will have no power.

INFERENCES .

1 . It is no virtue to be the subject of "doubts and fears."

2 . If we are uncertain, or if we remain in uncertainty as to our having this greatest of all boons, it is time that we

3 . Our religious life has not blossomed into its full beauty until we are perfectly at home in the love of God in Christ, and move as freely and step as firmly there as children in their Father's house that the question "whether we are children," or "whether we are at home," never comes up at all. A loving confidence never to be disturbed—this, oh! this is "knowing that we have the eternal life."