5:9 If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater;
for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son.
5:10 Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their
hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not
believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son.
5:11 And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son.
5:12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of
God does not have life.
5:13 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.
It is still a surprising and wonderful revelation to me that the
witness or testimony to us from God is that we have eternal life
now. This life is not just something to which we look forward, but
it is a present reality through faith in Jesus Christ.
Why do you think John uses "martyria" seven times in this section?
I always get just a little bit caught when I think about eternal
life. "Eternal" means without end, "infinite" is without beginning
and without end. I have to wonder whether I really want to "have"
the Son of God (v 12). Seems like I'd rather he "have" me. Any Greek
scholars who can interpret a better word for "have?" Reminds me of
those bumper stickers: "God Jesus?"
And one of the things that just sticks in my craw is the idea that
our goal of discipleship is so we can go to Heaven. Seems kind of
self-serving to me. Yet, John doesn't say "heaven," he says "eternal
life."
To get all Dr. Phil about it, if our discipleship is motivated
primarily by the fear of death, and the desire to avoid it by
"having eternal life by having Jesus" can we really consider it to
be discipleship?(rhetorical question). Seems contradictory to the
model of the one who "did not count himself equal to God but took
the form of a servant." This passage almost suggests that we have
the ability to manipulate God.
Nonetheless, this passage is here and is a challenge to this
mainline, slightly-left-of-center preacher who did not become
converted by either the promise of heaven or the threat of hell.
Sally in GA
This has nothing to do with current lections, but I'm wondering if
anyone out there has ever preached a sermon related to the movie,
"The Matrix," and if so, what scripture(s) were used as the
connection point and basis for the message? I have not seen the
movie yet, but have read so much about it that I feel like I have! I
may rent the video in the very near future, with an eye toward a
future sermon. Please don't tie up this board with replies, but feel
free to e-mail me at JadeKepple@cinci.rr.com .... Thanks.
Dave K. in Ohio <><
"Eternal life" is a slippery term. It does not mean life after we
die - it means "relationship" which begins now between God and
ourselves. It is the joy which has filled our hearts for ever.
tom in ga
How can we know that we have eternal life? John mentions several
measurements, from love to obedience. Is this enough? -Dale in
Chattanooga
We know we have eternal life through the testimony or witness of
God, and that testimony is Jesus Christ Himself. Through faith in
Jesus Christ we have eternal life, now and forever. The relationship
continues eternally.
Tom of MO
Dale in Chattanooga asked:
"How can we know that we have eternal life? John mentions several
measurements, from love to obedience. Is this enough?"
We know this through the Cross. In Jesus, not us, we have been given
this life. There are no measurements, simply a knowing that we live
in a lasting relationship with our redeemer.
tom in ga
