1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12: He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Introduction

I trust that you know by now that the primary purpose of the apostle John in writing this short epistle is to give his readers an assurance of salvation. And as he prepares to close this letter, John summarizes his purpose in verse 13 where we read this familiar passage, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

I like how Warren Wiersbe introduced this section. “The key word in 1 John 5:6–10 is “witness”, sometimes translated “record” or “testifieth.” God gave witness to His Son, but He has also given witness to His sons—to individual believers. We know that we have eternal life! Not only is there the witness of the Spirit within; but there is the witness of the Word of God. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”

Now, the key word in this section is “life” or “eternal life”. As we saw last time there are times in the Scripture, the word “life” and “eternal life” are used interchangeably. Our text is good example of that. In these passages “life” and “eternal life” are synonymous.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12: He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Here we see the essence of salvation. The essence of salvation is the possession of eternal life. God has given us eternal life. The possession of eternal life is the very essence of what we call salvation. What do we learn about this eternal life? That’s what I invite you to focus on this morning—what is eternal life? John will describe what eternal life is. He said, “this is the record”. This is the testimony. These are the facts. This is what God Himself has declared as truth—truth about eternal life that God wants us to know and believe and be assured of.

What is Eternal Life?

1. Eternal Life is a gift of God

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Eternal life first of all is a gift. It is given. It is given by God the Creator and Giver of life. None of us possesses eternal life naturally. The Bible is clear, that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And for that reason, we are all spiritually dead, that is, we are spiritually separated from God and if we die in our sins unforgiven, eternal death in hell is our eternal destiny.

The Apostle Paul declares in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death ...”

‘‘Death’’ here is so much more than physical death. It means separation from God and from all His blessings. There are many good and pleasant things in this life that we enjoy, such as family, friends, food, music, arts, nature, etc. But in the midst of these good and pleasant things there is sorrow, there is pain, there is trouble. In the midst of our enjoyment of good things there is sickness, cancer, heart disease, COVID-19, death, unemployment, injustice, violence, and riots. But all these bad things are nothing compared to the sorrow and pain that await those who die in their sins when they pass on from this life. The life that awaits those whose sins are not forgiven is a life of unending sorrow and suffering and pain. This is called the second death which is eternal separation from God and His blessing and favor. By the way we all deserve this life because we all have rebelled against God.

But here is the good news ...

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this verse, the Greek word for ‘gift’ is ‘charisma.’  Charisma means a gift of grace, or an undeserved favor. Paul’s intent is clear. His intention is to teach us that salvation is by grace. It is not by works. It is not something we work for. It is not something we earn. It is not something we deserve. It is given as an absolute free gift. 

Death is a wage, but life is a gift. The way life comes is completely different from the way death comes. In salvation all is of free gift—in damnation everything is of justice and deserved. “When a man is lost, he has earned it—when a man is saved, it is given him!” – C. H. Spurgeon

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Jesus Christ came to give eternal life. And He gives eternal life as a gift. It is a gift given to people who have earned eternal death. It is a gift given free of charge to people who are undeserving.

2. Eternal Life is in Jesus Christ

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Life is in Jesus Christ. All life is found in Jesus Christ. The gospel according to John opens with these words …

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2: The same was in the beginning with God. 3: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John speaks here about a person called the Word which is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He affirms that Jesus Christ was in the beginning with God, and that He was co-equal with God. He also affirms that Jesus Christ is the Creator. All things were made by Him; and without Him nothing came into existence that has come into existence. Everything that exists was made by Him and is everything is held together by Him.

Then John goes on to say in verse 4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” Not only all things were made by Jesus Christ, but all life also originated from Him. Everything that has life—whether they be angels, or humans, or animals, or plants, or trees received their life from Him. Everything that lives, lives because of Him. He is the origin of all life—physical life, spiritual life, and eternal life. Jesus Christ is the Creator of life. No one has ever created life, and nothing can create life. Life exists today not because of random chance and time. Life exists because Christ created life.

Now back to our text in 1 John 5:12 we read, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” John makes it very clear and plain that eternal life is found only in Christ. There is only one place where eternal life can be found and it’s in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus is the exclusive source of eternal life. Eternal life is not found in religion or good works or education or science. If you want eternal life, you must have the Son of God. Jesus Christ Himself declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

To possess eternal life, we must possess Christ. If eternal life is in Christ, I must have Christ to have eternal life! Boice wrote, “It is as impossible to have life without having Christ as it is impossible to have Christ without at the same time possessing eternal life.”

3. Eternal Life is received by faith

The eternal life that is in Jesus Christ and given as a free gift is received by faith. It is received through believing in Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Those who believe on the Son of God may know for sure that they have eternal life. This implies that one must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to receive eternal life.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

We receive eternal life through believing in Christ.  There is no other way to have life.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This is the very heart of that which we call the gospel.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Death comes by way of sin; life comes through Jesus Christ. Eternal life is received by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, believe the record, the testimony of the Father about His Son.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Believe and you will not perish but instead you will have everlasting life.

4. Eternal Life is a present possession

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The moment that you and I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are given eternal life. Eternal life begins immediately after you and I exercise faith in Christ. It is our present possession. Eternal life is something we presently have, if we are trusting in Jesus. Note that it does not say “will have” or “shall have” but rather it says, “have eternal life”. It is in the present tense, in other words, eternal life is something a believer currently and presently possesses. If we have Christ, we have eternal life now. All who possess Christ have eternal life and may know now, not someday in the future.

Also, believers do not have to experience death to experience eternal life. It is not something only to be received in the future but is a present possession. Eternal life is not something you wait for after death. It is not something that begins when we die; it begins here and now. It is something we have while we are living, if you are trusting in Christ.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The Bible wonderfully and clearly teaches that everyone who believes on the Son of God has everlasting life and will never perish.

5. Eternal Life is eternal

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I know that sound funny but don’t laugh, because sadly there are those who believe that eternal life is temporary. There are those who believe that you and I can lose eternal life. But the Bible clearly teaches that once you have eternal life, you have it. 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Never, no, never perish.

The word “eternal life” carries two important ideas, namely, quality and quantity. Life speaks of quality. Eternal speaks of quantity, the duration or the length of time.

Quality

The eternal life that God gives is not mere existence. It is life in Christ. Eternal life is Christ's life. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” We were dead in sins and trespasses, children of disobedience, children of wrath, but now alive in Christ. It is not a new religion but a new life in Christ. In Colossians 3:4, we read, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Christ is our life!

Quantity

Everyone who has eternal life by faith will never have that life taken away from him; even if he dies, he will live. Physical death will not turn eternal life into temporary life. Eternal life is forever and ever. 

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 

The gift of the eternal God is eternal life! Eternal life is not even interrupted at death. 

So far, I have not really given you the meaning or the essence of eternal life. In 1 John 5:20, the apostle John tells us the meaning of eternal life. “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

This verse is very similar to what our Lord said in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Here our Lord Jesus reveals the meaning of eternal life. Eternal life is knowing the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The key here is to understand what the Bible means by this word “know.” The word “know” in this verse is so much more than just intellectual knowledge. To know God and the Son here is not just an intellectual awareness. It is not just knowing about God and Christ. But it is knowing God and Christ by experience. It is not simply knowing by information but knowing by revelation.

So, what is eternal life?

6. Eternal Life is a relationship

It is a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Eternal life is a personal, intimate, conscious knowledge and relationship with God. It is sad that there are those who have oversimplified and reduced eternal life to going to heaven when we die. Though that is true, the one who has eternal life will go to heaven. But eternal life is much more than escaping Hell and going to Heaven.

Eternal life is knowing God in a personal way through His Son Jesus Christ. It is not mere conscious and unending existence, but a life of relationship and fellowship with God in Christ. By the grace of God, we have entered into a personal intimate relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. God adopts us into His family. We become His adopted children. He becomes our Father. Jesus becomes our brother. That’s eternal life!

That’s what Peter saw, that’s what he knew. That’s the kind of eternal life that Peter saw and knew that he would not let go; that he would not walk away. When many went back and walked no more with Christ, when he was asked, “Will ye also go away?” Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” Peter laid hold of eternal life that he would not let go. Do you know and see what Peter and the other apostles knew and saw?

1 John 1:1 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; 2: (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 

Notice how the apostle John talks about Jesus Christ. He says, I heard Him, I saw Him, I looked upon Him, I touched Him. What John is saying is that he has personal relationship and fellowship with Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

John enjoys his fellowship with the Father, and he wants his readers to have fellowship with Father, and with Jesus Christ.

When our Lord speaks of eternal life in John 17:3, as knowing true God and Jesus Whom He has sent, He does not speak of eternal life being a destination where one will go at death, but He clearly speaks of a relationship that begins here and now, when one receives salvation through Him. This relationship without a doubt will continue throughout eternity.

Closing Thoughts

Let me close with this question—do you have eternal life? Do you know without a shadow of doubt that you possess right now, right here, the gift of eternal life? Do you know the Father in a real personal intimate way through His Son Jesus Christ?

If you do not have eternal life, you are still spiritually dead and you are in danger of eternal death, which is also called second death. Second death is the life that awaits those who do not have the Lord Jesus Christ. The second part of 1 John 5:12 says, “he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” All who are without Christ, who do not possess Christ, are here and now spiritually dead and do not have eternal life. This is  very serious!

But the good news is that God offers eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. He is willing, ready, and able to give eternal life to people who have earned eternal death. He wants you to have eternal life and He wants you to have this more than you do. But the only way to receive the gift of eternal life is through faith. There is no other way!

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

So, the choice is yours, Eternal Life or Eternal death? Oh, I pray that you would choose life today. Look and live! Look to Jesus and live!

Let me speak to those who by the grace of God have eternal life. The best is yet to come for you. Though we already enjoy this eternal life today, the full enjoyment of it will be in the future.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The best is yet to come! Fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore is in the immediate presence of our Saviour. Oh, do not seek your joy anywhere else, seek you joy and pleasures in Jesus where these may be found.

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3: For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4: When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Christian, since you have been risen with Christ, since you have been made alive in Christ, that is your position in Christ—then practice it. As someone puts it, “Be who you are!” Be in practice what you are in position in Christ. Don’t live a double life. Don’t live for this world. Keep seeking the things above. Where your treasure is, let your heart be there also. “Seek those things which are above ... set your affections on the things above.” The world needs heavenly people today as never before. Don’t be so earthly minded that you are no heavenly good.

Warren Wiersbe, “Don't live the way you used to live, the way the unsaved crowd lives. Christ is your life, and you died with Him. Now, let His life show through you day by day.”

AMEN!