Question:
Does 1 John 5:13 teach that we have eternal life now?
Answer:
Yes, indeed it does, and verses 11 and 12 are equally emphatic: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” In his Gospel, chapter 17:3, John records these words of Jesus: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Many people find difficulty in grasping this idea because they confound eternal life with immortality. Paul plainly shows that we can not have immortality until the resurrection: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.” “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:42, 53.
But with the eternal life, it is different; if we have Christ now, and as stated by John, if we know God now, we have eternal life presently; for Christ is our life. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4. Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. Again he says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. See also Colossians 3:2-4. This “new creature” has the life of Christ, which is eternal life. The grave could not hold Christ (See Acts 2:24); and “if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11.
Then it is because of presently possessing the eternal life of Christ that the righteous are endowed with immortality at the resurrection, in contradistinction to those who die the second death. But this does not go against the fact that we may lay down this life and “sleep” till the coming of the Lord. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. Having eternal life now in Christ is ours, and nothing can take it away from us if we remain faithful to the end. If we are laid to rest awhile, that life is laid up for us in safe hands. So Paul says: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
