SUMMARY: Certainty
OVERVIEW: John writes to encourage believers in their faith. He wants them to know they have eternal life. They can be confident and secure in Christ.
BIG IDEA: Jesus gives us victory in this world and the next.
KEY VERSE: 1 John 5:13 (John’s reminder and encouragement)
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe he was raised from the dead, you are my child. You can live with confidence—not in what you say or do but in what Christ has done on your behalf. I don’t want you walking around with fear or doubt. My Spirit lives within you, and Jesus died for you. I sent him to earth to defeat death and give you hope. Live in that hope. When you ignore what Jesus has done, you minimize his costly sacrifice. Don’t let fear or doubt defeat you. Let it remind you to think about what is true. And then thank me when you realize all that I have accomplished for humanity.
Live with confidence but not arrogance. Don’t flippantly sin, knowing I will forgive you. That tells me you’re not aware of the cost or weight of sin. I don’t want a relationship with you so that you can live as you wish. I want a relationship with you because I love you. And I want you to receive and enjoy my love so much that you are motivated to love others. Live with confidence that I love you, and encourage others that I love them and offer them real life.
NEXT STEP
Who is someone you know who has doubts about his or her faith? Share verses 11-13 with them, encouraging them that if they have accepted Jesus, they can be sure they have eternal life through Christ.
VIDEO CLIP
BONUS Lyric Video