Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.” I find it interesting then to read the reason that some of the authors chose to write the scriptures they did and which were then included in the canonical books [the genuine books of the Holy Scriptures, called the sacred canon, or general rule of moral and religious duty] of the Christian Holy Bible. The First Epistle General of John is one such canon, saying in First John 5:13

“I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

As John says, he wrote his general letter for two reasons: first that we may have eternal life; and secondly, that we may believe on the name of Jesus. The Amplified Bible says it this way:

“I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life.”

Note the emphasis on the words believe and know in the Amplified Bible. The authors of this version of the Bible want to get us to as close to the meaning of the original Greek text as is possible. Sometimes, often indeed, in the in preparation of a Bible, a word-for-word translation simply misses the nuances which exist in the original biblical Greek; English, or any other language to that matter, just does not have the vocabulary which correctly convey the original author’s intent.

Here we see that believe is expanded to include not just a belief in the name and person of Jesus Christ, but a decision and choice to adhere to Him in all things, especially in times of trouble. It mean to trust Him at all times and under all situations, even if, at the time, we fear that we are heading alone on the wrong dangerous road. It means that we rely on Jesus all the time and in all things. But relying does not mean abdicating our own duties of manhood and servant hood. Some things are God’s work and some things are ours.

Similarly, the word know – as in: “we know we know we have life” – comes only to full comprehension when we know with both an absolute knowledge – which is satisfying to the head, but also and fundamentally, a settled knowledge – which is satisfying to the heart. The Bible is clear; God does not want us because of what is in our minds – but that which is in our hearts and which changes us for Him. Remember, as First Corinthians 8:1 says “… we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” This is expanded upon in First John 3:18 where John explains the Christian concept of love and an action word, as a choice we make: “Little children, we must stop expressing love merely by our words and manner of speech; we must love also in action and in truth.” This is how Christians need to express their knowledge of Jesus Christ, through love in action. Proverbs 20:11 speaks to us as Christians, as Children of the Living God saying “Even a child is known by his actions, whether his deeds are pure and right.”

To have eternal life, we can only seek one person, Jesus Christ. First John 5:11-12 confirms this saying:

“And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (Emphasis added).

In other words, Eternal Life is only available “in Jesus.” All who are in Him have eternal life; all who are out of Him, do not have it.

John then proceeds to say in First John 5:14-15 that we should have supreme confidence in our position in Jesus:

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”

This really is a supreme confidence which John is calling us to, and which, I am certain, is not only based on his faith in Jesus, but on his testimony and experiences as a believer, in and on Jesus.

Let us now look at 20 blessings of God for those who choose to believe in Jesus. They are all as recorded in Holy scripture and in alphabetical order:

In Jesus Christ there is Abolishment of the Law:

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfil.”

In Jesus Christ there is Eternal Life:

First John 5:11 “And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son.”

Second Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.”

In Jesus Christ there is Faith and Love:

First Timothy 1:14 “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

First Timothy 3:13 “For they having served well gain a good grade for themselves, and much boldness in the faith, those in Christ Jesus.”

In Jesus Christ there is Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death:

Romans 8:2 “But the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

In Jesus Christ there is Grace:

Second Timothy 2:1 “Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

In Jesus Christ there is High Calling:

Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

In Jesus Christ there is Liberty:

Galatians 2:4 “But because of those false brothers stealing in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus; they desiring to enslave us.”

In Jesus Christ there is the Love of God:

Romans 8:39 “nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In Jesus Christ there is New Creation:

Second Corinthians 5:17-18 “So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”

In Jesus Christ there is No Condemnation:

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

In Jesus Christ there is Preservation:

Jude 1 click link to read Jude 1

In Jesus Christ there is Resurrection of the Body:

First Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive.”

In Jesus Christ there is Salvation:

Second Timothy 2:10 “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

In Jesus Christ there is Simplicity:

Second Corinthians 11:3 “But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, so your thoughts should be corrupted from the simplicity due to Christ.”

In Jesus Christ there is Sonship:

Galatians 3:26 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

In Jesus Christ there is Triumph:

Second Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and He revealing through us the odour of the knowledge of Him in every place.”

In Jesus Christ there is Truth:

Romans 9:1 “I tell the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit.”

In Jesus Christ there is Union in One Body:

Romans 12:5 “so we the many are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another.”

In Jesus Christ there is Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption:

First Corinthians 1:30 “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”

Romans 3:24 “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Amen and Amen and Amen.