Do You Know?

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.

1 John 5:13

Sometimes, as believers, we wrestle with doubt—wondering if our faith is real, if we’re truly saved, or if eternal life is really ours. In this verse, John addresses those fears directly. He doesn’t write to confuse or condemn; he writes to give certainty. The promise is simple but profound: if you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and repent of your sins, eternal life is yours.

Notice that John doesn’t base this assurance on feelings, works, or perfection. He anchors it entirely in faith in Jesus. Eternal life begins the moment we trust Him, and it is a present reality, not just a future hope. John wants believers to rest in that truth and live confidently in it.

The things John writes to show Christians that they have eternal life are the previous verses in chapters 4 and 5. He lists three actions that indicate someone is a born-again believer.

• First, you love Jesus-Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the One who gives new birth loves also the one who has been born of Him. 1 John 5:1

• Second, you love other believers - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

• Third, Obey His commands-For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3

This verse calls us to both faith and confidence. Faith because we must believe in Christ, and confidence because the promise is secure. No matter our struggles, doubts, or failures, we can know that our salvation rests in the unchanging truth of Jesus’ work on our behalf.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark