When we first began our study in the book of First John, there were three reasons we discovered through John's own words as to why he wrote this book. In First John chapter one and verse four he told us that he wrote this book that our joy might be full, and we discovered that real joy comes from having a relationship and fellowship with God. The second reason for John writing this book is found in First John chapter two and verse one where we learned that he wrote this book that we would not sin. We learned that this meant that we would not practice sin, and our closeness in fellowship with God would keep us from sin. Today we have the privilege of seeing the third reason for John the apostle writing this book. In First John chapter five and verse thirteen he wrote:
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
First, John tells us who his audience is: “you that believe on the name of the Son of God”. All through this short little book John has been declaring to us how much God desires a relationship with us. God has made provision for every person who will believe in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for our sins. We simply believe – rely upon, trust in, and cling to – Jesus paid the price for our sins, and now God has given a promise to all who believe that He will remove their sins and restore fellowship and relationship with Him.
In addition to the provision of Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins, John now says he wrote this book that “you may know that you have eternal life”. God desires that we will live with Him forever, and that was His original plan until sin entered into the world. Every since it did, God has been busy about redeeming man from this sinful state to restore fellowship with Him. When we have a relationship with Jesus Christ through believing in Him, we have the promise of eternal life. Look once again at the gospel of John in chapter three and verse sixteen where John wrote:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God desires that all people live with Him forever, however, there will be some who will not. This is the reason for John writing these words. God will never make us believe in Him. God will never make us believe in His Son Jesus' provision for our sins, but He desires that we do. This leads to John's second reason in today's verse. John wrote: “that you may believe on the name of the Son of God”. Perhaps you are reading this blog for the first time, and perhaps you have been reading it for several months. Please let me assure you, John the apostle, our great teacher, has no greater motive nor reason for writing this book than that we will believe on the name of the Son of God. John knows that without Jesus as our savior, we will indeed perish. Oh, everlasting existence will belong to us, but it will be an everlasting existence that is separated from everyone including God Himself.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Jesus paid the price for everyone's sins, and now the decision as to whether to believe in Him or not is completely up to us. We can choose Him, or not choose Him, but John the apostle and this writer is hoping and praying that all who read these words will come to know the Savior Jesus and will experience all the love and forgiveness that He makes available.
Next time we will take a look at what happens when we ask God for something in prayer, so read ahead and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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