V. John’s Epistles: Life in and Through Christ Is Central Thought

As might be expected, the Epistles of John, like his Gospel, are infused with the same sublime theme of life. John begins and ends his first epistle with the dominant thought of eternal life in Christ—Christ as the fountain, source, and personification of life. The expression “eternal life” appears six times in this one short epistle.CFF1 385.4

1. LIFE MANIFESTED, PROMISED, POSSESSED IN CHRIST

Note this illuminating and progressive series:CFF1 385.5

(1) “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life [logou tes zoes, “God Incarnate”]; (for the life was manifested [“brought to light”], and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)” ... (1 John 1:1, 2). (2) “This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25).CFF1 385.6

(3) “We know that we have passed from death unto life [zoen], because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life [zoen aionion] abiding in him” (1 John 3:14).CFF1 386.1

Picture 3: The Throng of Redeemed:
The Throng of the Redeemed That No Man Can Number, Before the Throne of God Saved, Immortalized, and Secure Forever.
Page 386CFF1 386

That is it—manifested, promised, possessed.CFF1 386.2

2. POSSESSION OF ETERNAL LIFE CONDITIONED ON INDWELLING CHRIST

The Christian believer, then, has “eternal life” now, as a gift of God—but vested in Christ, for “this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11; cf. 1 John 3:2). Everything turns on this relationship. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12). The possession of everlasting life, then, is wholly conditioned upon Christ’s abiding in the heart by faith. He who believes in, and experiences, this indwelling has everlasting life, vested in Christ, and has “passed from death unto life” (1 John 3:14; also John 5:24, 25; John 6:54; John 8:51). Note the inspired phrasing:CFF1 386.3

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11).CFF1 387.1

“He that hath the Son hath life [the life]; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life [the life]” (1 John 5:12).CFF1 387.2

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).CFF1 387.3

But this is a dual, or reciprocal, relationship:CFF1 387.4

“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” (1 John 5:20).CFF1 387.5

Stronger, more explicit phrasing could scarcely be framed, nor higher testimony cited. The only way to turn away its force is to deny that life—eternal life in Christ—does not really mean life, through giving it a metaphysical twist. But if men attempt to change the intent of such positive testimony to suit their preconceived concepts, then their controversy must be with God, the Author and Inspirer of these lucid statements. Life, eternal life in Christ, is the dominant note and burden.CFF1 387.6