The Certainty of God’s Saving Testimony – 1 John 5:9-12

As we learn foundational truths of Scripture that define Christian faith, we need a deep, abiding assurance of the certainty of God’s Word to fortify our spiritual lives. The certainty of God’s saving testimony concerning Jesus Christ is the Christian’s assurance of salvation. In this section of Scripture, Apostle John explains why.

God’s saving testimony is trustworthy. God’s testimony in Scripture is His own revelation. We can depend on His testimony in all circumstances because His revelation is inerrant and infallible. (Jn 20:31) His testimony is superlative– it is greater than the words of man, as infinitely greater as God Himself is to man. As we see who Christ is- God Almighty, Who came to us as man- we see the perfection and greatness of His testimony. (Col 1:16-17) His testimony is the gospel. God the Father sent His only begotten Son into this world to save sinners. The wisdom of man can not compare to the wisdom of Jesus Christ crucified- His gospel is the only testimony we can trust to make us wise unto salvation. (1Cor 15:3-6; 2:2; 2Cor 5:21)

God’s testimony bears fruit. His testimony is not theoretical or abstract, but there is real transformation in the believer’s life, because Jesus dwells in him. The first fruit is inner conviction. The testimony of God is in every Christian’s heart. His inner man is renewed by the Spirit dwelling in him, who leads him and gives him the desire to be more like Jesus. (2Cor 4:7) To have the testimony of God in himself is to have the Holy Spirit. (v.10) This is an undeniable reality of every believer’s life. The Spirit continually dwells in us, and causes our continual transformation. (Rom 8:9; Acts 1:8) In all circumstances, the Holy Spirit causes all believers to choose faith. Believers remain in Christ through all suffering and persecution, not by their own will, but because of the Holy Spirit Who dwells in them. (Jn 6:67-68) Believers choose love, because it is the fruit of the Spirit dwelling in them. We look to Jesus, who is our perfect example of love, who willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross because of His love. Do you love? Our love reflects our salvation. As we understand how much God has loved us even while we were yet sinners, we pursue to love God and love one another. (Jn 13:1; 1Tim 1:5)

How can we have the testimony of God in our hearts? God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (v.11) The one who believes in God’s testimony has the testimony in himself. To believe is to have faith– an ongoing faith that trusts and commits to Jesus Christ alone. Are you believing? The one who believes remains in Christ. In our abiding, we are His sheep, His disciple, His servant, and He is our Shepherd, Teacher, and Master. (Jn 15:4-5) Our relationship to Jesus defines our identity. In our complete dependence on Christ, we obey His Word as we believe in Him. (Matt 8:7-9) All who reject Christ commit the serious sin of misrepresenting God by not believing in Him. It is only by the Holy Spirit we now believe in the gospel, to see that everything is from God, for His glory.

Lastly, the testimony of God bears eternal life. Eternal life is Christ living in us. We are no longer dead in sin, under God’s condemnation, but we now have the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians are the only ones who gain from death, because we are united to Christ in His death and His resurrection. (Phil 1:21) He who has the Son of God has eternal life. Jesus is more precious to the believer than anything that exists in this created world. (Matt 13:44) Do you have this kind of relationship with Jesus? The result of believing in God’s testimony is eternal life. As we continue to abide in Christ and live according to the testimony of God, we must declare God’s testimony to others. His testimony never fails. (Acts 3:16)