WRITING:
1 John 5:12 «Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.»
SUPPORTING VERSES:
1 John 5:11, John 1:12, John 14:6, Colossians 3:4
Meditation
«"I have a Christ-like spirit," he said with a hint of superiority. "I have gone beyond the traditional view of Jesus."»
Many have taken this path. Let's take the fictional example of Lucas. He grew up in a Christian family, but upon arriving at university, he met other people. They advocated a so-called inclusive spirituality. They spoke of the inner cosmic Christ, mystical yoga, the New Age, and a spiritual openness that transcended what were considered the rigidities of Christianity.
Lucas is captivated. He comes to believe that all religions are simply human attempts to get closer to God and that they are all of equal value. Jesus then becomes, like Buddha or Krishna, an enlightened master, inhabited by a universal Christ-like spirit. The divine is already within him. He no longer sees himself as a sinner and feels no need for repentance. He now considers himself on a path to enlightenment and proudly shares this new vision with Thomas, his childhood friend, during a vacation.
Thomas, for his part, had given his life to Jesus from a young age. Wisely, he didn't seek a lengthy debate. He simply opened the Bible and led Lucas to a specific passage.
«"You say you want to honor Jesus as your master. Read this."»
He explains that this letter was written by the apostle John in response to speeches very similar to his own, particularly those of Gnosticism. Then he reads:
«"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."»
The life Lucas seeks is not found in a universal Christ-like spirit, but in a relationship with a very real Person: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Thomas continues with 1 John 2:23:
«"Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father."»
No spiritual enlightenment, no inner ascent allows one to know God apart from Jesus. Jesus Himself affirmed it: "No one comes to the Father except through me." Would He have lied?
Through God's mercy, Lucas finally understands. He recognizes that all these theories have brought him only torment and endless questioning. That day, he gives himself to Jesus. He discovers true peace and joy, the very things he had long observed in Thomas's life.
The apostle John wrote this epistle to combat several heresies of his time, including Gnosticism, which denied the incarnation of Jesus and asserted that Christ alone was not sufficient for salvation.
1 John 4:2-3 states:
«"This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God."»
John thus affirms not only that Jesus is sufficient, but that He is the only one absolutely necessary for salvation. We must have the Son to have life. Apart from Him, humanity remains in death. Why? Because Jesus is life, and life can only come from Him. He is the sacrifice through which we are forgiven, and forgiveness can only come through Him.
«"The Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world" (1 John 4:14).
To have the Son and life
The statement is categorical. To have the Son is to place real faith in Him, a faith that leads to a living communion with Him. It is to believe in Him. It is only under this condition that one receives life.
This life is eternal life, the very life of God. Jesus states this clearly:
«"Whoever believes in me has eternal life" (John 6:47).
Note that this life is given in the present, not in the distant future. It is not the result of religious efforts or human merit. It is accessible only through Jesus Christ. What John's contemporaries needed to hear, our generation needs just as much.
Rituals, complex methods, sophisticated doctrines, and spiritual journeys flatter human pride, but they do not give life. Many find this message too simple, and it is precisely this simplicity that leads many astray today. God intended salvation to be simple so that it would be accessible to all.
The apostle Paul wrote:
«I am afraid that, just as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ» (2 Corinthians 11:3).”
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US
Let us embrace the simplicity of the message of salvation. When some claim it is too simple, let us remind them of the immense price paid for this simplicity. It is the fruit of profound sacrifice. Simple, but never easy.
Eternal life is found in a Person. It is not in a religion, a moral system, or a tradition.
John 1:12 explains it clearly:
«"To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."»
To receive Christ is to believe in Him, to place one's trust in Him for salvation, to welcome Him as Savior and Lord. It is to receive a gift, not to earn a reward.
To those who say they admire Jesus, let us remember that admiration does not save. To those who respect Him as a great prophet, let us remember that this is not enough. It is receiving Him as the Son of God who gives life.
Proclaim it with love, but with conviction. For if you are not convinced yourselves, how can you proclaim it with assurance? “Say it with love, but first, you must be convinced of it.
Are you convinced of that?”
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- Why does the Bible state that life comes only through Jesus Christ?
- If someone asked you, «How can I have Christ?», what would you answer in 30 seconds? Refer to John 1:12. Write down your answer.
- How would you explain to a religious person, faithful to their practices, that they may not yet have life in Christ?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I thank You because eternal life is in Your Son. I thank You because I have received Him, and in Him I have life.
Thank you for all the people You put in my path who need to know that life only comes through Jesus.
CONFESSION OF THE DAY
«"Life is in the Son. I have received Jesus Christ, and in Him I have eternal life.". I will announce it with love and conviction.»
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