May 10, 2018
1 John 5:9-13…“And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” vs. 11
About the end of the first century when John was doing his writing, there was considerable controversy about the content of the gospel message. Already there was division within congregations about various issues and alternative wisdom was being proposed. John is calling his readers back to the essence of the testimony that the Spirit of God had given to him. It wasn’t complicated. As he saw it, eternal life was a gift from God and all who were connected to Jesus through faith would experience it. In his estimation, anyone who rejected Jesus would not have that gift of life. We like the first part of what he says; we like it that eternal life is a gift from God, but many don’t like thinking that unbelievers don’t have eternal life. But the problem is not with God. The gift is for all people–no strings attached. It’s just that those who reject the gift (Jesus) can’t enjoy its benefits, at least not in this life. They will never know that in Jesus there is abundant and unconditional love; that in him there is total forgiveness. John was unapologetic in laying out his testimony, but he really didn’t want anyone to miss out on life. Very likely he prayed that, in some way, all people might come to know Jesus–and that’s still our prayer. None of us want anyone left out!
Thought for the Day: How can unbelievers find life without faith in Jesus?
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