1 John 5:12
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a spiritual and experimental knowledge of Christ, which leads to spiritual and eternal life, while lacking Christ results in spiritual death.
John Gill emphasizes the profound truth found in 1 John 5:12, illustrating that possessing a relationship with the Son of God is essential for true spiritual and eternal life. He explains that those who have faith in Christ experience a transformative knowledge that grants them life, while those who do not know Him remain spiritually dead and separated from God's life. The sermon highlights the importance of faith in Jesus as the source of both present and eternal life, urging listeners to reflect on their relationship with Him.
Text
Ver. 12. He that hath the Son,.... Has a spiritual and experimental knowledge of him, true faith in him; who has him dwelling in his heart, and living in him:
hath life: not only spiritual life, being quickened by him, and living by faith on him, but eternal life; the knowledge he has of him is eternal life; he has it in faith and hope, and has a right unto it, and the earnest of it, as well as has it in Christ his representative, whom he has, and in whom this life is:
[and] he that hath not the Son of God; no knowledge of him, nor faith in him, nor enjoyment of him:
hath not life; he is dead in sin, he is alienated from the life of God, has no title to eternal life, nor meetness for it, nor shall enjoy it, but shall die the second death.
Sermon Outline
- The Knowledge of the Son
- The Result of Having the Son
- The Consequence of Not Having the Son
- No knowledge of him
- No faith in him
- No enjoyment of him
Key Quotes
“He that hath the Son,.... Has a spiritual and experimental knowledge of him, true faith in him;” — John Gill
“He that hath not the Son of God; no knowledge of him, nor faith in him, nor enjoyment of him:” — John Gill
“He is dead in sin, he is alienated from the life of God, has no title to eternal life, nor meetness for it, nor shall enjoy it, but shall die the second death.” — John Gill
Application Points
- Having a true knowledge of Christ is essential for spiritual life and eternal life.
- Lacking Christ leads to spiritual death and alienation from God.
- Faith in Christ is necessary for having him dwelling in your heart and living in you.