June 20, 2004

THE TRUE GOD

"We know that the Son of God has come and given us understanding to know him who is real; indeed we are in him who is real, since we are in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, this is eternal life" (1 John 5:20, NEB).

Among the most eloquent proponents of Christ's deity is the disciple affectionately called John the beloved. He constantly magnified the Lord Jesus as God and Saviour. In today's text, Jesus is addressed for the first time by the title, "the true God" (1 John 5:20, NEB).

In the plan of salvation, the deity of Christ is central and vital. It is the truth around which the Christian's faith is built. If Christ is not divine, then salvation is impossible. Ellen White says it succinctly: "The divinity of Christ," she asserts, "is the believer's assurance of eternal life."--Desire of Ages, p. 530. This is fully supported by John's declaration, "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:12, NKJV). Moreover, to deny Christ is to deny the Father; to confess Him is to confess the Father (see 1 John 2:23); and to abide in Him is to abide in the Father (see verse 24).

The apostle Paul also exalts our precious Redeemer as Lord and God. He refers to Jesus by the title, "the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 2:13; 3:4). He also speaks of Christ as the one "who is over all, God blessed for ever" (Romans 9:5). Because Jesus is the true God and eternal life, we have the assurance of forgiveness and victory over the power of sin and death. As God and Saviour, Jesus is abundantly able to save to the uttermost all who accept Him as Saviour and Lord. "The divinity of Christ is the believer's assurance of eternal life."--The Desire of Ages, p. 530.

My Prayer Today: Lord, with John, I accept You as the true God who is eternal life. Amen.