He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1Jn 5:12-13 KJV).
There are few people who enjoy taking tests, and yet they are a regular part of life for us all. Whether they be in education, in our profession or in a medical capacity, tests come around on life’s clock. The apostle John in his first letter presents us with a series of spiritual tests. These tests are designed to prove whether we are believers and part of the family of God or not. Our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, our love for Christians and our obedience to God’s Word are all presented as characteristics of someone who is saved. The foundational question in this test, however, is whether or not we have the Son as our own personal Savior. We all face this query, and it is vital that we answer that we “have the Son.”
The Person of the Son
The gospel message is centered in a person, the Lord Jesus. Many are searching for peace and assurance by good works, religious efforts or modern philosophy. This verse shows us that it all comes down to the Son. He has the same nature as the Father and is therefore equal with God. He was sent into the world to reveal the Father and is therefore a distinct person. The Son brings us into the family of God.
The Possession of the Son
We don’t often speak of “having the Son” as a term for salvation when we communicate the gospel. However, there is a preciousness about this term since it shows that when we trust in Christ it is not only that we belong to Him but that He belongs to us. Salvation and relationship with Christ are personal, and the Scriptures tell us that when we trust in Christ He dwells in us. There are many possessions in life that we can lose, but when we have the Son, through faith, we can never lose Him or be separated from Him.
The Promise of the Son
The possession of the Son comes with the promise of life (“has life”). When John speaks of life, he is often referring to eternal life. The condition of the unsaved is one of deadness and separation from God. We were born in sin with no spiritual life. Upon believing in the Son, we receive eternal life which prepares us for eternity with God. It is not meritorious but founded upon our relationship with the Lord Jesus and the work He accomplished. The person who trusts in the Lord Jesus has this certainty – that they know God, have the Son and possess eternal life. The person who doesn’t have the Son does not have life. There is no other way to spiritual life or connection with God. Without Christ, you are spiritually dead.
A wise man summed up these verses by saying there are only two options:
NO SON, NO LIFE!
KNOW SON, KNOW LIFE!
The question from John’s test paper is simple: Do you have the Son? Because knowing Him is knowing God and knowing life.
