GOD’S TESTIMONY OF LOVE
Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on October 24, 2010 under 2010 |
Preached Sunday, October 24, 2010
from
1 John 5:11-12
Theme: In these two verses, we find the basis for the assurance of salvation through God’s own testimony concerning His Son.
(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
I ask you to turn with me to 1 John 5:11-12. These are two verses of Scripture that became very dear to me very early in my Christian life. I’d like to begin this morning by telling you why.
In my case, it had to do with the very important subject of the assurance of the believer’s salvation—that is, that people who have placed an intelligent faith in Jesus Christ can know for certain that they are saved and that their sins are forgiven. I’ve come to appreciate over the years that, while the assurance of salvation is a very precious gift from God that His people truly need; it doesn’t always come to us in the same way. For some of us who place our faith in Jesus Christ, assurance comes immediately, and stays strong for the rest of our lives. For other of us, it comes in bits and pieces along the way—and sometimes needs periodic strengthening before it becomes a settled confidence of the heart.
I was of the later type. I became a Christian when I was 16 years old; and because the life of faith in Jesus Christ was something completely new to me, assurance of my salvation was something that the Holy Spirit graciously grew in me over time and in different portions. And one of the ways that He grew a confidence in me about my salvation was through these two verses.
It’s funny how things like this stick in your mind; but I can still remember as clearly as if it were yesterday how thrilled I was when I discovered these two verses. They answered a deep need in my soul. I remember how—later that evening—I went out on an evening bicycle ride around the Sea-Tac airport in the Seattle area all by myself. It was a way I used to go out and think about things. I took these two verses with me; and as I rode along, I committed them to memory. I think I was particularly drawn to them because they were pretty clear-cut in what they said—and that if what they said was true of me, then I truly was saved. They have been an important mainstay in my heart ever since.
This is what these two verses say;
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:11-12).
I knew that I had a relationship with the Son of God by faith; and so, I knew I had eternal life. And it was right for me to look to those two verses for the assurance of my salvation, because in the very next verse, John writes, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life . . .” (v. 13). I’ll never forget how I ran those two verses through my mind over and over again until they became not only stored in my memory, but solidly fixed upon my heart.
I believe that God led me two those two verses that day long ago—and gave me the leisure to think them over—in order to cause the assurance of my salvation to grow in me. And I wonder if He may have led me to share from them because He wishes to grow that same assurance in someone here today.
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Let’s consider the amazing things that these two verses affirm. First, let’s notice the very remarkable affirmation that . . .
1. GOD HAS ESTABLISHED A TESTIMONY IN THIS WORLD.
“And this is the testimony . . .”, John tells us; and the “testimony” he speaks of is a testimony from God Himself.
Now you know what a “testimony” is, don’t you? It’s the public declaration of the truth of something that someone knows. In a court of law, someone may be called upon to take the stand and give “testimony” of something that they know concerning a particular case; and when they do so, they themselves are called ‘a witness’. Or here in church, we sometimes have “testimonies”, in which someone stands up and publicly attests to something that God has done for them and what they’ve learned about Him as a result; and when they do, we say that they’re ‘bearing witness’ of God. When we go out into the world—into our neighborhoods, or to work, or school, or in our associations with family and friends—it’s our duty to testify to them of who Jesus is and what He has done for us; and we often call this “witnessing” for our Lord.
Well; here, John speaks of a “witness”—a “testimony”. He makes it clear that it’s a particularly important “testimony”—saying, “And this is the testimony . . .” And the truly amazing thing we discover is that it is God’s own testimony to this world—His own public testimony of the truth of something! If you look back just a few verses, you will read these words;
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son (vv. 9-10).
This then, is a testimony from God—His own public attestation of the truth of something. It is a valid testimony because it comes from God Himself. If we were to disbelieve it, we would be calling God a liar. And if we would readily receive the testimony of men—as we often do, then we should give even more weight to the testimony of God Himself. And what’s more, it’s a self-confirming testimony; because those who believe the content of it find that it becomes verified within them.
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Now; I believe we could spend the rest of this morning talking about just that one fact alone—that God has a testimony in this world! What an amazing thing! What wonderful news! Our almighty Creator God has not hidden Himself from mankind or made Himself obscure to those who would seek Him; but, instead, has clearly spoken a message of revelation, and has declared a testimony in this world! What an important thing that is for us to know, who seek salvation—and the assurance of it!
And notice further that we’re told that this “witness” that God has “testified” to the world is specifically a testimony “of His Son”. Of all the things that God wanted the poor, needy, broken, sin-ridden, lost people of this world to know, He testified to them most of all about His Son Jesus.
The Bible tells us, in Hebrews 1:1-3;
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high . . . (Hebrews 1:1-3; emphasis added).
So; you might say that God’s testimony to this world was given through the agency of His Son; because as the writer of Hebrews tells us, God has in these last days “spoken to us by His Son”. As John says at the beginning of his Gospel, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). We would not know anything about the Father unless He had revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus; because, as John goes on to say, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). As the apostle Paul says, Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15).
But not only is it through God’s Son that His testimony to the world is given; but it’s concerning the Son Himself that the Father testifies! Do you remember how, when Jesus was born, an angel of heaven burst upon the earth with news from God? And do you remember what the news was? The angel declared,
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
The “good tidings” for “all people” was a message about God’s Son! And do you remember how, at Jesus’ baptism, the heaven’s opened up to Him, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon Him, and the voice of God the Father spoke from heaven to earth and said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17)? And do you also remember how, later in His earthly ministry, Jesus took Peter and James and John with Him up to the mountain? Do you remember how His face became as bright as the sun, and how His garments became as white as the light, and how Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Him? Do you remember how God the Father testified at that time, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am will pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5)?
Think of how John and the other apostles bore God’s own testimony about Jesus Christ to the people of this world! At the very beginning of this tiny letter, John wrote;
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, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full (1 John 1:1-4).
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I wish we could linger on just this one affirmation all day—that God has revealed a testimony to this world! He has not been silent and distant from us! He has spoken to us! He has declared a testimony of Himself through His Son to this world; and the testimony He has declared is itself about His Son! What an amazing thing! God has borne a public witness of Himself in this world!
But let’s move on. What is it that God declares to the world in this “testimony”? John tells us that it’s very good news:
2. THE TESTIMONY IS THAT HE HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE.
John writes; “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life . . .” As a sinner, I’m grateful that God’s testimony to the world is not one of judgment and condemnation; aren’t you? What’s more, I’m grateful that it wasn’t that “eternal life” is now something that is available to me if I will only work hard enough to earn it. I praise God that His testimony to the lost and needy people of this world is that He has “given” us eternal life—as a free gift!
Now; let’s stop for a moment and think about this amazing thing that God testified that He has given us. What exactly is “eternal life”? We already have a biological life. But we also know that this biological life is not “eternal”. It will one day end. So, “eternal” life is a kind of life that dramatically different from our biological life; because, as the name “eternal life” obviously implies, it’s a life that will never end.
But did you know that the most important and distinguishing feature of “eternal life” is not it’s duration? Just ‘existing eternally’ is not the best way to define eternal life. In fact, “eternality” cannot be the defining characteristic of “eternal life”; because those who do not receive eternal life—and who (grievous as it is to say) will suffer the judgment of what Jesus Himself called “the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41)—will exist eternally in that state of separation from God. And the eternality of eternal judgment is just as “eternal” as the eternality of eternal life.
So; what is it about eternal life that makes it so unique and wonderful? Jesus Himself gave us the most authoritative definition of “eternal life” we could ever find in John 17:1-3 in His great prayer—just before going to the cross; in which He spoke to the Father and said,
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:1-3; emphasis added).
Do you see it? The defining characteristic of eternal life is ‘relationship’! The thing that makes “eternal life” such a precious gift from God is not just its duration—as wonderful as that is; but rather that it is an eternal relationship with the One who made us for Himself, and with the One who shed His blood to redeemed us to Him!
How deep is that relationship? Jesus went on to pray for all who would believe on Him through the word of the gospel;
“. . . that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:21-23).
Eternal life then, dear brothers and sisters, is nothing less than being brought into the fullest possible fellowship that the Father and the Son enjoy with one another. And because the relationship of love within the Triune Godhead is eternal, your and my life of union with their love is as eternal as they themselves are!
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This is God’s testimony! He has “given” us eternal life! We don’t have to work our way up to it, or try to find it, or in any way make it happen. It is freely given to us! And that life is an eternal relationship of love—to the fullest degree—with the One who made us for Himself. I wish we could talk about that all morning too!
But let’s move on. It would not be enough to tell us that He has given us eternal life, if He didn’t also testify to us where eternal life is to be found. And so, that leads us to the next aspect of God’s testimony of love to this world that these two verses affirm; that . . .
3. THIS ETERNAL LIFE IS FOUND IN HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
There are two ways to think of this statement—that this gift of eternal life is “in” His Son. One way is to see it as identifying Jesus as the exclusive source of eternal life. Eternal life is only found in Jesus Christ alone, and no where else. Jesus, of course, said this. He said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). As Peter once said, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). This means that God—in His testimony to the world—really meant it for our good when He pointed at Jesus and said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am will pleased. Hear Him!”
But another way of thinking of this statement—equally true, I believe—is to see it as saying that eternal life comes as a result of our being placed by faith in such a relationship of union with Jesus that we are “in” Him. Eternal life isn’t a result of knowing about Jesus, or being near Him, or having fond and sentimental feelings about Him. Rather, it’s a result of our being brought by the Holy Spirit into vital union with Him by faith, so that we are “in” Him and He is our very life! As Paul has put it;
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-7).
Either way we see it, there is no eternal life apart from Jesus Christ. And we certainly don’t need to understand how such a thing could be in order to receive eternal life. The thief on the cross didn’t know very much in the way of detailed theology. He simply knew that he was a sinner that needed to be saved. By faith, he turned to Jesus at the very last moments of his life—when he could do nothing to earn God’s favor—and said, “Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus told Him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). He received God’s declared gift of eternal life “in” Christ.
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Now, once again; we could spend the whole morning talking about just that alone! What a wonderful truth! Eternal life is a free gift from God available to all who will trust Jesus Christ. But we must make sure that it is Jesus we trust; because “this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
But this leads us to one final affirmation—the one that speaks most directly to our need of assurance of salvation. And that is that . . .
4. WHOEVER HAS HIS SON HAS ETERNAL LIFE.
John puts it in what I like to call “antithetical” terms. If one thing is so, then it’s opposite—it’s antithesis—is not so. He says, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
How do we “have” the Son of God? The Bible teaches us that it is by faith—that we “believe” on Him for our salvation. In what may well be the most beloved verse in all the Bible, it says; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Do you see it? If you believe on Him, you “have everlasting life”. And if everlasting life can only be found in God’s Son; then if you “believe on” Him, you “have” Him.
So; if you believe on Him, you have Him; and if you have Him, you have everlasting life. But if you do not believe on Him, you do not have Him; and if you don’t have Him, you don’t have everlasting life. As John 3:36 puts it; “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
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Well; I spent some time evaluating my faith in Jesus that day long ago—riding around on my bicycle and memorizing these two verses. I knew that I had placed my faith decisively upon Jesus Christ. I knew that I had believed on Him for my salvation. And what’s more, I saw the increasing evidence of His transforming power in my life. By His power, I was turning away from sin more and more. By His help, I was growing to obey Him increasingly. By the Holy Spirit in me, my love for Him and trust in Him was increasing on a daily basis. I knew that I truly “had” the Son of God.
And it then began to be a settled assurance in my heart that if I had Him, I truly had eternal life. As John says, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” This testimony from God was a witness that I was—daily—growing to have in myself. And today, I praise God that I am confident—with all my being—of His gracious love, my salvation, and the gift of eternal life.
I felt led to pass this on to you today. And I hope that, by faith in Jesus Christ, you will enter into that assurance as well.
