Jesus Is Eternal Life
1 John 1:1-4 KJV 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; 2 (For the life was manifested, 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;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
John is writing to believers to tell them he heard, saw, and touched “the Word of life”. He wants us to know he witnessed eternal life, Who came from the Father. The purpose is so we have fellowship with other believers and the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He is telling us all this so that our joy is full.
From the beginning John has been telling us Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the living Word, God in flesh (John 1:1). God has revealed Himself through His written word inspired by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the visible of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
Eternal Life
The disciples, and really anyone who saw Jesus, were looking at the manifestation of eternal life.
John 3:36 KJV He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.-s
Every believer has been given the gift of eternal life now. We are not looking forward to eternal life, we are living in eternal life.
eternal – 166 (aionies) does not focus on the future per se, but rather on the quality of the age (165/aion) it relates to. Thus believers live in “eternal (166/aionios) life” right now, experiencing this quality of God’s life now as a present possession. (HELPS Word-studies)
Living Out The Eternal Life
John 17:3 KJV These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Eternal life is lived out through growth in personal knowledge and understanding of God, His Son, and His word.
know– 1097 ginosko-properly to know, especially through personal experience (first hand acquaintance)… (HELPS Word-studies)
Our experiences with God will not fall outside of His word. We know we have eternal life living in us because we love truth, God’s word.
John describes believers and unbelievers in clear terms. There is no gray. We live in a time that rejects absolute truth. Which is why there is chaos, confusion, and hopelessness. This word from God is for this time.
