There are so many offerings for religion available today. Some say this one, and some say that one. Some declare this way, and others declare that way. How are we to know? Is it a feeling, a revelation or vision? Is it some book or group of ideas that make logical sense? As we close in on John the apostle's final two verses in his book named First John, John makes it very clear how we can know that we have the true God and who that God is. He wrote in chapter five and verse twenty:
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.
From the beginning of this wonderful book, John has been sharing about the first hand knowledge that he has of Jesus. He walked with Him, talked with Him, and knew what it was like to have Him close to his side. Now John ends his book with his knowledge: “we know that the Son of God is come”, and it was for a reason “has given us understanding”. Why? “to know him that is true, and we are in him that is true.” And without exception John declares that this truth is “even in his Son Jesus Christ.”
Let us look at this once more. “given understanding...that we may know him that is true,...and this truth is even in his Son Jesus Christ.” If that isn't clear enough John adds “This is the true God, and eternal life.” There are no other God's mentioned. There are no other ways mentioned. Jesus as John quoted Jesus before in the gospel of John in chapter fourteen and verse six:
“I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me.”
Jesus declared there is no other way, truth or life, and John echos it in today's verse. He wants it clear that the only way to have this understanding is for it to be given by God. In other words, once we acknowledge that Jesus came and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are given the understanding that Jesus is the truth. John has written this book for this purpose: that all who read his words would come to the truth and accept Jesus for who He is – God.
Next time we shall look further into these last words of John, so continue to read, and we will share 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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