“These things I have written to you who believe in the Son of God, that you might know that you have eternal life.” – 1 John 5:13 

Scripture reading: 1 John 5:6-13; Isaiah 62:1-5

John is speaking in this section about the testimony of the triune God Himself concerning Jesus as the Son of God sent to redeem sinners.  He states, “The witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son” (v.9).  It is amazing for us to think that God desires the salvation and fellowship of His people to the point where He is willing to condescend to us and not only send His Son, but also to bear testimony to this in His Word.  This passage (along with the entirety of the Bible) tells us that God’s intention is not to hide Himself, but instead to make Himself known to His people.  Just as a shopkeeper would not hang an ‘open’ sign in his window if He did not want people to come into his store, so too God would not have given His Word if He did not want to be known.

The second amazing reality of these verses is that God also wants us to know that we have fellowship with Him.  As we have already gathered from John’s first epistle, his purpose for writing the epistle (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), is that we might know that we have eternal life (v.13).  This reality is true not only when you read First John, but whenever you read any portion of God’s Word.  God has given you His Word because He wants you to know Him!

Suggestions for prayer

Thank God for His grace and mercy, that He has done everything that you might know Him.  Pray for a deepening of this knowledge.

Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.