God has promised us eternal life if we abide in His Son and the Father. In 1 John 2:23 we are told whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. That's straightforward: there are no other sons, just Jesus, the Son and no special rules to follow to have eternal life. Romans 10:9 states that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. God provided a very simple way for us to know Him -- so simple, a child can understand. In fact, we need to come to God, believing with the heart of a child. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3,
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
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| ~~~A Child's Heart~~~
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1 John 2:25 promises us eternal life based on the truth of the above verses. What a blessing! What a joy! If we die before Jesus returns, we are assured that we will live eternally with God. This seems incomprehensible, because we have only known living in our earthly bodies. However, we are told in 1 John 3:2, Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Someday, we will know.
Finally, in 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 we are told, When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. It is clear, even though we want to completely understand; we will not, until we stand face to face with Jesus. At times, we have an in-depth vision of God and His Truth, more than we have ever had before; but then, we are left with understanding our comprehension is still limited, and that God is more than any person can totally comprehend, even though He has revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father God, as I study Your Word, my horizons are stretched, sometimes gently and sometimes with a jolt. As I understand what You have done for me by sending Your Son to be the payment for my sins, as well as knowing that as I acknowledge the Son, You also abide in me, I am filled with awe and thanksgiving. Thank you for my hope, which is Your promise -- Eternal Life. I look forward to the times, I shall know for I will see You face to face. In Jesus Precious Name I pray, Amen.
Today, the majority of the focus scripture is taken from 1 John 2: 22 - 1 John 3:1-3 (NKJV).
22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?
He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son
23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either;
he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning.
If what you heard from the beginning abides in you,
you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you,
and you do not need that anyone teach you;
but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things,
and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears,
we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that
everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us,
that we should be called children of God!
Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
2 Beloved, now we are children of God;
and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed,
we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
