Whoever Has The Son Has Life - Now

Over the past couple of weeks, a question from the Holy Spirit has resonated deeply within me, one that often surfaces when I feel discouraged or restless: “Steve, does your faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God, the One who has overcome the world, propel you to live differently than you would if you did not believe?”

I love questions that aim at the heart. They get you to see what is really going on in there spiritually. Am I really trusting in God? And if so, what are some specific actions that I endeavor because of my faith in Christ that I wouldn’t if I didn’t believe?

As we return to finish up the last chapter of First John, we see more than ever that God the Father and His Holy Spirit want you as a believer to trust Jesus Christ at a level that propels you to do something that is different than you would if you did not believe. Living out your faith on this earth every day is the clearest proof that you truly trust Jesus Christ for eternal salvation. In fact, the biblical phrase “trusting in God” means having the confidence and courage to take action or to risk something because you believe in God’s ability and reliability. So, real evidence that you trust in God is found both in the resting, as well as in the endeavoring you are willing to take based on that trust. You cannot honestly say you are depending on Jesus Christ if you never act on your dependence on Him, or if your actions are no different than if you had no trust in Him at all. Acting and striving with full reliance on Christ requires doing so out of trust in Him, even when the actions might appear challenging or risky.

The Apostle John emphasizes in chapter five that trusting and believing in the Christ of Scripture for both our earthly and eternal needs is essential to salvation. Often, it is easier to trust Christ for eternal salvation than for your daily needs. Jesus Christ wants you as a Christian to embrace His trustworthiness as the One who not only gives you eternal life but also gives you the needs of your earthly life. He will not only sustain you eternally, but He will sustain you temporally. He will not only provide for you eternally but also now. You must believe what Jesus said about Himself and what is revealed about Him in the Word of God. John explains that anyone who accepts Christ—the Messiah, Son of God, the One who has overcome the world—gains life through Him. This life involves both everything day by day on earth and eternal in heaven. Whoever has the Son by faith has life now and forever (1 John 5:12)!

Church, trust in the Jesus who provides all things for you both on heaven and earth. Don’t fall for the idea that Jesus is distant and uncaring. Trust in the Jesus of your Bible. Believe in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. He is very God, begotten not created, and He is the only Savior of the world who has taken upon Himself all of the care for you in all things earthly and all things eternally. He knows what you need before you even ask, so bring your requests to Him.

See you Sunday, cared for completely by Jesus Christ: Steve