1 John 5:9-13 (No Salvation Apart From Christ)

Chapter 5

Verses 9-13:

"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. 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. 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, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."

This first statement continues from the last couple verses. John now gives from the smaller to the greater of the testimony of Christ coming by water and blood, "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater..." We do not rely on the testimony of men, who may decieve or lie to us. For men may lead us to think that our salvation is in Jesus Christ but may in fact be deceiving us and not telling the truth, unlinke the Spirit who bears witness and who is truth (1 John 5:6). "I do not receive testimony from man...the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me" (John 5:34a,37a). The testimony of men is nothing compared to the "witness of God" which "is greater."

"...for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son." After saying that God deserves to be believed much higher than men, the Apostle now says that man cannot have faith in God except he believe in "His Son" whom He has sent. Apart from Christ Jesus there is no salvation, this point is very obviously true here and throughout the scriptures.

This is further explained by the statement that "he who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself..." and those whom do not believe that Jesus is the son of God "has made Him a liar." Why? "Because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." The Father and the Spirit have testified that this indeed is the Son of God there is no dispute, apart from Him you have not accepted that testimony set forth by God, and you have made "Him a liar."

Verse 11: The testimony within us is this "that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." Through "His Son" we have received the adoption of as sons of God, as such we ought not only to accept the gospel of Christ but to love it. Here is where I do not understand something about the "professors" of today, especially those who constantly and willingly disobey the Lord:
How in the world do you understand this doctrine of eternal life, given to you so freely by nothing more than the grace of God and faith in His Son, and still live as though you owed God nothing?
This of course makes about the least sense to me. I of all people understand that we will never be completely rid of sin until that day we die or Jesus returns, yet there are those who offer no praise, worship, or even care to Christ Jesus, their "professed" Lord and Savior.

Verse 12 actually contributes more to the indisputable fact that apart from Jesus Christ a person does not have eternal life. This is the inspiration for missions and for evangelism, as well as for correct doctrine and teachings which will not deceive persons into a false hope.

Verse 13 shows us the purpose for John writing these things to these people, "that you may know that you have eternal life." He is writing to those "who believe," and writes these things to them so that they can be further assured of their faith in Christ. As there should be a daily progress in faith, not all believers are always 100% assured of their salvation, there are still remnants of unbelief in many Christians. This is the reason for correct doctrine and for teaching, so that people might have a more firm confidence in their eternal life and adoption.

We should strive to teach believers correct doctrine so that their faith grows and that the "Son of God" remains the object of that faith.

1 Peter 1:10,11:
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."