Knowing That We Have Eternal Life by Albert Weeks

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 19, 1911

Knowing That We Have Eternal Life

By Albert Weeks

ALBERT WEEKS

“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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13.

What are the things that John has written that will enable us to know of a certainty that we have that precious boon, eternal life?—First and all-important is the belief on the name of the Son of God, as it has been manifested. “For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.” 1 John 1:2.

But it is not belief in the abstract that the apostle means. The belief must control the life. We must walk in the light, as He is in the light, having fellowship one with another, and allowing the precious blood of Christ to cleanse us from all sin. Verse 7. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Verse 9.

Having received forgiveness of sins through our advocate and propitiation, we receive power to keep God’s commandments, and this is an evidence that we know him. But this is not all. The commandments are an expression of love, both of the love of God toward us and of our love for God. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” 1 John 5:3.

This love is broad. It covers all God’s creation. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20. The test of our love for our brethren is the test of our hope of eternal life. So we read again: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

How are we to manifest our love for our brethren?—“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” Verse 18. “But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?” Verse 17, A. R. V. Doing good to all mankind, and especially to the household of faith, is a test of our surety of eternal life. “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7.

Smith’s Creek, Mich.