And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life (1 John 5:11-12).
The Apostle John tells us in 1 John 5:13 that we can know that we have eternal life. In fact, he has given us several vital signs of spiritual life by which we can gain assurance that we have eternal life. Eternal life is found in a relationship with Jesus. I have purposely saved this most important vital sign as the last to be considered. It is fitting that we save the best for last.
You and I can know that we have eternal life if there is an active and lively faith and trust in Jesus at work in our lives. Have you put your faith in Jesus as the eternal Son of God, the Second person of the Trinity, who has come in flesh? Then you can know that you have eternal life.
The testimony of Scripture is clear; the testimony of Jesus is clear; the testimony of the church for almost 2,000 years is clear; there is no hope of salvation apart from the Lord Jesus Christ! His is the only mediator between God and man. He was fully God and fully man; possessed of both a human and a divine nature, and thus qualified to be our savior.
Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me.” Peter declares in Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven, that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.“
Perhaps the most important spiritual vital sign is this: that you believe in Jesus as the eternal Son of God, who has come to this earth and taken upon Himself a human nature, to die on the cross in your place to save you from your sins. Thus, you can know that you are spiritually alive, that you are going to heaven, if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, and if you have an active and lively faith in Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, strengthen our faith in Jesus, the eternal Son, sent by You to purchase our salvation. Grant us a lively and active faith in Jesus. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.