I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13 NLT
What Does “In the Name of” Mean?
When John writes about believing “in the name of the Son of God,” he isn’t offering a religious password or a magic phrase.
In the ancient world, a person’s name represented their character, authority, reputation, and essence. To act “in someone’s name” meant you were acting with their permission, under their authority, and in alignment with who they truly are.
So to believe in the name of Jesus means:
- Trusting who He really is
- Submitting to His authority
- Aligning your life with His character
- Anchoring your hope in His finished work
It’s relational.
It’s covenantal.
It’s not just agreement — it’s allegiance.
You’re not only believing facts about Jesus.
You’re entrusting yourself to Jesus.
What Does “Know” Mean in Greek?
The word translated “know” in 1 John 5:13 is eidō (οἶδα).
You know what that means? Me neither, so I looked it up online.
Eidō means:
- To perceive clearly
- To possess settled assurance
- To know something as a lived reality
John is saying:
You can have present, confident assurance that eternal life is already yours.
Not someday.
Not after you get it together.
Not once you finally “do enough.”
Now.
This knowing isn’t meant to make you passive — it’s meant to make you peaceful.
It steadies your soul.
It softens your striving.
It grows patience in your character.
You are going to live forever — loved perfectly by God, just as you are now.
That’s not fragile hope.
That’s unshakable good news.
Eternal Life Isn’t Just Later — It’s Now
Eternal life isn’t only about duration.
It’s about quality of life with God.
It’s fellowship with Christ.
It’s living in unconditional love with no fear of punishment.
It’s walking in His light.
It’s carrying resurrection life into ordinary moments.
It’s like when the sun finally comes out after a long, cold, wet, and rainy day.
You feel it on your face.
Your shoulders relax.
Your heart lifts.
You simply absorb it… and breathe again.
That same life-giving presence lives inside you.
And it’s only a moment’s notice away.
Not because God is hiding.
But because attention is directional.
What we behold, we become.
So today — right now — let Christ be enough.
Behold Him.
Worship Him.
Let His presence recalibrate your nervous system and your soul.
The King is in the room.
Why Did John Write This?
John tells us plainly:
“I have written this to you…”
Why?
So there would be a reliable record from a reliable witness to the truth.
So our hearts would stay anchored in assurance.
So we wouldn’t drift into fear, striving, or spiritual insecurity.
And ultimately…
So we would keep on loving people the way Jesus loves us.
That’s the mission.
Love gathers people.
Love heals people.
Love forms people.
Love matures both the giver and the receiver.
That’s whole-life disciple-making.
And it’s not a burden.
It’s the natural overflow of eternal life already at work within you.
Call to Action: Be a Steady Witness
You don’t have to be perfect.
You do have to be present.
Be a steady and faithful witness:
- Not self-righteous — humble
- Not harsh — compassionate
- Not performative — authentic
Pattern your life after Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit:
- What do You want me to notice?
- What are You saying?
- How are You leading me to respond in love?
Let the Father lead every step of the way.
You’re not trying to earn eternal life — you’re learning to live from it, with peace, patience, and quiet confidence that you are already loved perfectly by God.
Then…
- Tell your stories
- Love your neighbors
- Share what you have with those who lack
- Glorify God in ordinary conversations
- Don’t let a day go by without lighting up this dark world with the eternal light already living in you
Be a light. And keep on shining.
Not loud.
Not perfect.
Just steady.
Faithful.
Persistent.
Bringing It Home
Assurance of eternal life brings peace, rest, joy, patience, and quiet confidence.
It frees us from striving.
It softens our reactions.
It steadies our hope.
It grounds our love.
We don’t live to earn forever.
We live from forever.
Reflection Question
What does this assurance of eternal life bring up in you right now — peace, joy, relief, gratitude, questions, resistance, or something else?
Share in the comments.
Your story may be the light someone else needs today.
A Prayer
Jesus, thank You that eternal life isn’t distant — You are eternal life and Your Spirit lives in me. Give me unshakable assurance and confidence that I already have eternal life in You.
God, make this revelation a cornerstone of my walk with You. Let Your peace abide in me. Let patience spring forth in my character as I rest in the truth that I am going to live forever, just as I am now — loved perfectly by You.
Amen.
“And this is the way to have eternal life — to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
John 17:3 NLT
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