The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.

                                                                                                                   1 John 5:10 

To believe is to trust. Faith is what I call an appropriate response to a loving God. The Amplified Bible reveals that believing (faith) in Jesus Christ is “a personal trust, a confident surrender, and a firm reliance.” As believers, we know that God is who He says He is and that Jesus Christ has done everything necessary for us to experience abundant life on earth and to possess eternal life as well. The finished work of the cross is what brings the power of God to save the lives of sinful mankind (Romans 1:16). But this spiritual life is reserved only for those who receive this gift of salvation. Today’s passage is yet another reminder that the criterion for salvation, forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation, and eternal life is found in believing (trusting) Jesus.

John tells us that the one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony within himself. The opposite is also true. The one who does not believe does not. Unbelievers are effectively calling God a liar. This lack of spiritual life comes not as a result of living a more sinful life than another rather this spiritual death comes because this individual has not believed what God has said regarding His Son. Compare this truth to the words of Jesus in John’s gospel:

He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

                                                                                                                        John 3:18 

Again, we see the criterion for escaping judgment and condemnation as reserved for those who believe. Similarly, judgment comes only to those who do not believe and, again, it is because they have not believed in the name of Jesus. So if we are to believe God’s testimony, what exactly is His testimony regarding His Son? Consider the following:

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 

                                                                                                                   1 John 5:11-12

The testimony is simple. God has made a new covenant with mankind and this covenant is based on His promises to us, not on our adherence to the Law (such as was with the old covenant with Israel). He has given us eternal life and that life is found only in His Son. When we call on Him to save us (Romans 10:13), admitting our need for a Savior, He does so according to what Jesus did on the cross. The judgment that is due us according to our sin was placed on Christ. And the righteousness that Jesus brought to the earth is then credited to our spiritual account on the basis of faith (Romans 4:4-5). This is often referred to as the great exchange. And it certainly is that!

Once again, we see the contrast between those who have spiritual, eternal life and those who do not. When we belong to Jesus, we have life. When we are living outside of a personal relationship with Christ, we are void of life. Although living and breathing, unbelievers are walking in spiritual death. I believe this is the reason that God commands the church to proclaim good news (Mark 16:15-16, Romans 10:15). Believers are sinners who have been redeemed and are now reconciled to God through the obedience of Christ on the cross (Romans 5:18). Unbelievers are also sinners yet have not received this redemption therefore they are not reconciled to God and are in line for condemnation and judgment. We are to make sure that everyone hears this good news and have been given an opportunity to respond to the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Reconciliation with God, a new life in Jesus, and complete and total redemption of our old lives is but a prayer away. Why not call on the One who loves you and gave Himself up for you? He is waiting with outstretched arms. Become a believer in Jesus today and experience what it means to have real, eternal, abundant life!