God’s Presence #7 — Present for Life

God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has this life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have this life. 1 John 5:11-12

All patients have doctors. They have a doctor in the sense that the doctor has promised to be present as a doctor in time of need. They possess them to the extent that all of the doctor’s skills are available to them as patients. On the other hand, even though there are many doctors, those who do not have one, do not benefit from the doctor’s skills. This is the kind of having John communicates in his letter. When patients trust their doctors enough to commit their lives into their care, they have them, and benefit from the relationship. So it is with Jesus, only more so, because what God has given us in him is certain and effective. While patients expect “life and health” from their doctors, they are not always able to generate this effect; God does not always work through them to bring healing. But eternal life — fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit — is always active in our lives when we have a relationship with his Son. So if we have the Son, we have the life he promises.

Father, thank you for the life that is mine in Jesus, and for giving me the confidence to commit myself into his care forever. Help me to remember today that I have life, so I will live without fear. Amen.