The God of Life
For Meditation (Elisabeth Hayes)
When we opened up this series, we saw John painting a portrait of Jesus Christ. Now in this final portion of John’s letter, he has finally finished his painting. As he takes it all in in these final verses, he notes for us the most important features of his masterpiece for us. And as we look at the painting, what we see now is that this isn't just a portrait of Jesus. It has become a depiction of Jesus lovingly gazing at his people–at you and at me–and of us as we begin to resemble him more and more.
As John finishes the letter, he wraps up by pointing out the ways that this eternal life offers assurance to his readers (who, remember, were facing uncertainty caused by a group of former members of their church and were wondering how to make sense of the world). John has painted for us an image that reminds and assures us of an overwhelming truth: those who are brought into fellowship with the triune God through Jesus Christ, those upon whom the gaze of Jesus lands, will be transformed by that gaze. Eternal life–life as God intends for it to be–belongs to us; John painted us this portrait so we would know and experience that truth.
As you prepare for worship, take some quiet time to close your eyes and imagine Jesus gazing on you with love. Imagine him gazing on your family; on your home; on your neighborhood and city; on the world. Spend some time basking in his loving gaze, and thanking him for his love that leads to Life.
1 John 5:13–21
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.