Assurance Of Eternal Life

JULY 21, 2021 STUDY NOTES I JOHN 5:13 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE INTRODUCTION We live in a world of uncertainty we have been uncertain about many things in recent days It is difficult to be certain about many things that we hear through the news today It is difficult to be certain about many things that come through modern technology today We are not even sure of some written contracts or guarantees of today Therefore, we have many questions and many doubts about the life that we face every day We are not even certain about another day of physical life Today we are able to learn of natural disasters throughout the world which cause death We are told of the physical diseases that take away life every second of every day Because we live in a world of such uncertainty, we buy insurance We spend a lot of money on auto, home, liability, health, and life insurance All because we are not certain about the next step of life John tells us one thing that is certain, truly born-again believers are saved and eternally saved But not all believers live with the assurance of an eternal salvation Not all Bible teachers teach an eternal salvation and not all believers believe the truth of it Many teach that the salvation of a believer can be lost and many accept their teaching But 1 John 5:13 plainly teaches the “Assurance of an Eternal Salvation” John wants all believers to have the full assurance of salvation and live with that assurance Christians can take the next step of life with full assurance and confidence of “Eternal Life” Our confidence is in what God has revealed through His Word, 2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Christians have something that is certain, fixed, and stable, you can trust your life to it God’s Word is a solid foundation, Peter calls it the “word of prophecy” We have trusted our life to Jesus who knows all thing, Joh 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. We know that God knows us, 2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. We have daily assurance regardless of what happens, Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. We have an assurance of the future, 1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. John tells us that we have the “Assurance of Eternal Life,” and John gives us the---ASSURANCE OF THE WORD 1Jn 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 Page 1 of 6 of God. “These things,” John has in mind all of that which he has written in this letter John is giving us a purpose for writing the letter of 1 John We can compare it with his purpose of the Gospel of John John stated that there were many things that he could have added to his Gospel account, Joh 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But there was enough written to fulfill the purpose of the Gospel account, Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. The purpose of the Gospel account was that you may come to know the person of Jesus That you would come to know the Person and Work of Jesus through His earthly life That you would then believe in Him and call upon Him to save you from your sins And that by believing in Him and calling upon Him as the Son of God you would be saved In the Gospel of John, we learn that salvation is receiving life through the name of Jesus Now in 1 John, John writes to those who have already believed in Jesus He writes that believers might have the “Assurance of Eternal Life” That was the main purpose for the writing of 1 John, he writes to believers John has made mention of other reasons for writing 1 John He writes so that we would experience full joy, 1Jn 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. He writes so that we would not sin, 1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: He writes to assure those who are spiritually young, 1Jn 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. He writes that we might understand spiritual growth and spiritual maturity, 1Jn 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. He writes to warn us of false teachers, 1Jn 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. Now he writes to believers so that we may know that we have eternal life First, he identifies who a true believer is, he speaks to the ones that believe on the name of the Son of God; The purpose of this verse is not that the unbeliever might come to believe in Jesus Christ That was the purpose of the Gospel of John John is writing to those “that believe,” they have already received eternal life by believing He is not writing to unbelievers, those who have never accepted Jesus as their Savior He is writing to believers who have hope, believers live in hope, Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Unbelievers are living “without hope,” Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the comonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: The most tragic life that a person can live in this world is a life without God, “having no hope” The “Assurance of Eternal Life” is a life filled with hope for today and for eternity The unbeliever will not understand what John says, 1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not Page 2 of 6 the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. The mind of the natural man cannot understand spiritual truth When John says those “that believe,” he literally says, “the believing ones” In the Bible, “the believing ones” are those who have put their faith in God and Christ Believers are convinced that God’s Word speaks the truth concerning sin and salvation They believe in Jesus, and they receive Jesus into their life, Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: So “believers” are those who have trusted their present life and their eternity to Christ Believers are a “new creation” in Christ, 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. When you believe in Jesus, He comes to dwell in your heart, Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, A believer receives the mind of Christ, 1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. We receive a spiritual mind that allows us to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. “Assurance of Eternal Life” is given to those who “believe on the name of the Son of God” “The name” refers to the full revelation of the Son of God “The name” identifies with His Person and His Work as the “Son of God” Revealing “Who He is,” What He has done, and what He will yet do “The name” acknowledges His attributes, authority, dominion, power, and “Lordship” His name is above every name, Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Because His name is above every name, Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: One day every knee will bow to “The Name” of Jesus, Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; One day every tongue will confess “The Name” of Jesus, Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. John writes to those who have life because they believe that Jesus is the “Son of God” That is what John said in the previous verse, 1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. We often ask people, “What do you believe?” Our question should be, “Who do you believe?” With the thought of, “Do you believe God?” “Do you believe Jesus Christ?” If you believe that Jesus is the “Son of God,” you believe God and God’s Word, Joh 3:16 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. You believe that Jesus is eternal life, 1Jn 5:20 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. John writes that ye may know that ye have eternal life, That “you may know” refers to an absolute knowledge, to that which is positive Knowledge that is beyond the shadow of any doubt, knowledge filled with all certainty Christians are convinced by the facts which prove that Jesus is the “Son of God” Page 3 of 6 Many scholars say that you should not discuss “feelings” when speaking of salvation But salvation is not only a “know-so” experience, it is also a “feel-so” experience The reason you “feel-so,” is because you “know-so” Once you believe in and receive Jesus as the Son of God you have an inward assurance When you are saved you have an immediate perception of “eternal life” An experiential knowledge that comes with your experience of salvation As Christians we can receive a daily assurance of our “eternal life” Each step of faith that we take in our daily walk of life is a fresh reminder of salvation As we live by faith, we experience an inward realization of “eternal life” As we follow Christ through the circumstances of daily life, we have the assurance of salvation Something that God wants you to know and be sure of and there should be no doubts about it Salvation is not that which is certain because of self, but certain because of Christ “Eternal Life” is a gift of Grace, Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Sinners cannot earn “Eternal Life,” Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Salvation is something that Jesus has already paid for, 1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. The purchase price of our eternal life was the blood of Jesus, Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Salvation is what you received when you accepted Jesus as the Son of God When you received Jesus, you received “eternal life” “Eternal life” means a life that is permanent, a never-ending relationship of life It is more than a quantity of life, it is also a quality of life The joy of “eternal life” is knowing and living the life that you have received in Jesus John has shared many characteristics of eternal life in 1 John Those who have eternal life “Walk in the light, 1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. They confess sins, 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (Praise God for this verse) They keep the Word of God, 1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. They obey His commandments, 1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. They practice righteousness, 1Jn 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. They do not practice sin, 1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. They love the brethren, 1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. They are overcomers, 1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Many modern versions do not have the last part of 1 John 5:13 found in the KJV But since it is written in the KJV we will consider it--and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. The repetition of a word in a single verse places an emphasis upon the truth of that word Page 4 of 6 Here “believe” is a word of “Divine Importance,” God has something special to say to us John wants you to know that you received eternal life when you first believed in Jesus Now John is telling you to believe in the eternal life that you have already received John writes that we may continue to “believe on the name of the Son of God” He is telling us to believe in what we have believed and that we can believe in what we believed John has written so that “you may know that you have eternal life” The security of the believer is a debated doctrine among theologians Let me share many “Biblical Truths” related to the security of the believer Scripture assures believers that we can know that we are saved and possess an eternal life “Biblical Terms” that refer to our salvation reveal the “Security of the Believer” We can believe it when the Bible says “eternal” or “everlasting” The word “everlasting” is used to refer to the “eternity of God,” Rom 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: The “everlasting” God gives His “everlasting” life to those who believe in Jesus, Joh 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. The word eternal speaks of “endless duration,” it expresses salvation as “Life Eternal” Our salvation is eternal according to God, our salvation is nothing short of eternal, Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: Our salvation is secure because salvation is “Life” according to God’s Word When God says that He has given us “Life,” we can believe it Jesus is the “Word of Life,” 1Jn 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; “Life” is in Jesus, Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The life that we receive from Jesus is “Eternal Life,” 1Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. There are many plain “Biblical statements” that assure us of an “Eternal Salvation” We can know that our salvation is secure by the plain statements of God's Word As believers we have an eternal inheritance, Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. The believer “will never perish,” Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. The believer is “not condemned,” Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. The believer will not be “cast out,” Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. The believer is “passed from death unto life,” Joh 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. Our salvation is eternal because it is secured by God’s eternal purpose, Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Only an eternal salvation will glorify God forever, Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. The sacrifice for our salvation was a “once and for all” sacrifice, Heb 10:10 By the which will we are Page 5 of 6 sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Jesus is the “author of eternal salvation,” Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Jesus obtained an “eternal redemption” for us, Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. In Jesus we receive “the promise of eternal inheritance,” Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Believers are protected by “the Shepherd,” Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Believers are protected by “the prayer” of Jesus, Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Believers are “preserved in Jesus Christ,” Jud 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: The Holy Spirit is the “assurance to our spirit” that we are a child of God, Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: God “gave us” the Holy Spirit for our security, 1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. The Holy Spirit is “our seal of assurance,” Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, The security of the believer teaches that we can now “Live In Christ,” Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. The guarantee of our salvation is not based upon what we do as Christians The guarantee of our salvation is based upon what God has already accomplished for us We have the security of salvation because the works of God cannot be canceled or reversed Our salvation comes with a “Written Guarantee,” the Word of God is our Written Guarantee Our salvation is secure because of the “Work of the Trinity” Our security is found in God’s Word, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit Page 6 of 6