Believing Is More Than Just Knowing

by Darla Noble

The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:11-13

Jesus promises eternal life in heaven if we fulfill the promise we make to Him when we accept Jesus Christ as Savior. And what is the promise we make? To give ourselves completely to Him in faith and obedience.

Today’s verse talks about believing the name of the Son of God, but it isn’t enough to just believe in the context of acknowledging the reality of Jesus and nothing more. Believing in the name of Jesus in order to receive the gift of eternal life means to fully accept the truth of His words and live according to His instructions and expectations.

Think about it like this: When you are hired to do a job, you are hired with the expectation that you will follow the guidelines and expectations of your employer and fulfill your duties as you promised you would when hired. Giving your life to Christ is the most important ‘job’ you’ll ever take so do it to the best of your ability and in such a way that you will hear the words that tell you you’ve done it well: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)

Prayer: LORD, give me a heart that longs to be completely faithful and obedient. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.