1 John 5:9-12: If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater

1 John 5:9-12 (ESV)

9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. [1]

            If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. When testimony is received, it is established that what is testified to is what occurred. When anyone is put on trial, testimony will be presented regarding a claim or accusation. Often, the strongest evidence we have is eyewitness testimony. In John, we find eyewitness accounts. He walked closely with Jesus and in his gospel refers to himself as the one whom Jesus loved.

            The word testimony is defined as a statement given by a witness. A person who provides testimony about something refers to the content of the testimony.[2] Much of what we have in scripture concerning the life of Jesus and who He was is based on eyewitness accounts. It can be trusted. It provides a sure foundation on which we can build our lives. Everything centers around Jesus Christ and who He is. To know and believe that Jesus is the Son of God is to come to salvation, to have our sins forgiven, to be delivered from the dominion of darkness, and to become a child of God. But we must accept the testimony presented in scripture. God has done the work and paid a price that we could not pay. For it is a free gift that cost Jesus everything.

            Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. The word "believes" is defined as to believe, trust; to entrust. It describes the act of believing or trusting something based on its truthfulness reliability.[3] To believe is to place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It means building our lives on the truth of who Jesus is. Those who do not believe in God have made Him a liar. They have rejected the truth of Christ and, therefore, have turned down the offer of salvation.

            Everything we have concerning salvation and forgiveness is based on the testimony of who Jesus is. He walked the earth, and today we have the testimony of those who walked with Him, those who saw the miracles, those who heard His word, and those who witnessed the resurrected Christ. To come to saving faith in Christ is to have the testimony of who Jesus is within them. The Holy Spirit lives within them as a witness to who Jesus is. But everything we have is based on the truth of who Christ is. Without Jesus Christ, we have nothing. With Jesus, we have everything.

            And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The word "eternal" is derived from the Greek word "aiōnios," which means everlasting or long-lasting. It describes the nature of something as enduring or eternal.[4] What God offers us is everlasting life. A life without end. On this earth, our lives are but a breath. We are here today and gone tomorrow. The eternal life that God offers is found in knowing Jesus Christ. It is not earned. It cannot be worked for. It is based on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Everything we have is because of what Jesus has done. His love for us is greater than we can comprehend. Every single one of us who has come to know Jesus Christ can testify to this eternal life and should share it with as many people as God opens the door.

            Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. What does it mean to have the Son? It means to know Christ personally. It implies having a living relationship with Him where we abide daily. Some may claim they know Jesus and even love Him, but they fail to truly abide; they do not personally know Him. For them, He is merely an add-on, or they may only possess head knowledge of Him. However, when the Bible speaks of knowing Jesus Christ, it refers to having an intimate knowledge of Him, having encountered Him in a genuinely personal way. Eternal life hinges on one thing: knowing Jesus Christ personally.

Prayer

Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus. Thank you for providing eternal life and forgiveness through Him. Jesus, thank you for laying down your life. Thank you for loving me the way you do. Thank you for opening my eyes to the truth. I pray that your will be done in my life. I ask that you would order, lead, and guide my steps daily. Jesus, may my life glorify you in all things. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Jn 5:9–12.

[2] G. D. Taylor, “Testimony,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[3] Aaron C. Fenlason, “Belief,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[4] J. A. McGuire-Moushon and Rachel Klippenstein, “Eternity,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).