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"That you may know that you have eternal life..."

Text: 1 John 5:13

MOTIVATION TO WRITE

The Apostle John was very clear about why he wrote his epistle. The following text expressed clearly his motivation to write.

“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.”
1 John 5:13

1. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God”

a) John was writing to believers.

b) True believers are those who believe that Jesus is indeed the Son of God.

2. “That you may know that you have eternal life”

a) John knew that his readers faced many problems.

i) The world was hostile to believers.

ii) There were false teachers.

iii) There were false brethren.

iv) There were many false teachings that threatened to undermine their faith.

b) His response

i) To write to encourage the believers.

ii) Their confidence need not be shaken.

iii) They may know with great certainty that their faith in Jesus was well-founded.

iv) Faith in the Lord Jesus gives assurance of eternal life in Him.

3. “That you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God”

a) The word “continue” is written in italics in the NKJV.

b) This word was added by the translators to express their understanding of John’s intention.

c) This is not a wrong possibility.

d) But it is not the only possible explanation.

e) Other possible explanations.

i) That you may “truly” believe in the name of the Son of God.

ii) That you may “confidently” believe in the name of the Son of God.