Let’s do some word studies and then make the application.
In the book of First John, there are several words that are key terms, which are used repeatedly in the book. One of them is the word “know.” There is more than one Greek word that is translated “know” in English, but I want to focus only on the uses of the Greek word oida, which means “fullness of knowledge.”
As we go through these verses in First John, ask yourself, “Can we really know these things? Fully? Completely? Can I actually be certain?” Of course, you are going to answer that “yes” every time, but I want you to see how the word is used.
We read that “you…know the truth” (2:21). “You know that He is righteous” (2:29). “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him” (3:2). “You know that He was manifested to take away our sins” (3:5). “We know that we have passed from death to life” (3:14). “You know that no murderer has eternal life” (3:15). “We know that we are of God” (5:19). “We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding” (5:20). No question! We know these things with absolute certainty!
Another word that runs throughout the book is the word “have.” Consider these instances when the word “have” is used in the present tense. Again, as you read these, I want you to ask yourself, “Do we really have these things?” Of course, you are going to answer that “yes” every time, but I want you to see how the word is used in the present tense.
“We have fellowship with one another” (1:7). Do we truly “have” that for sure right now? “We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (2:1). Do we truly “have” that for sure right now? We “have” the “commandment” to “love” our “brother” (4:21). Do we truly “have” that for sure right now? Yes, we really “have” these things right now.
We’ve examined those two words for a reason. They are both keys words that are found in First John 5:13. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” Some Christians struggle with having confidence that they are going to heaven.
The Bible says that those who keep on believing and obeying the Son of God (the emphasis of the present tense Greek word for “believe” [pisteuo]) can “KNOW” (as certain as they know the truth, know Jesus is righteous, etc.) that they “HAVE” (as real as having fellowship with one another, having Jesus as our Advocate, etc.) “ETERNAL LIFE.” Dear faithful Christian, God says that you can KNOW that you HAVE a home waiting for you in HEAVEN! Now, let’s live like it!