1st John 5:13. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” MAY KNOW. The pages look like any other – words always look the same, Until the mind with intelligence begins to think On things that unfold like flowers in the morning Or a sun that rises spreading ever increasing light. Dim light at first – than gradually revealing all that lies around In brighter and brighter understanding to my heart. The thoughts now run in paths being made more clear – As the black words now revealed golden truths That opens like great highways to flourishing fields Full of life-sustaining bread to meet needs fundamental To eternal life – that life enjoyed and lived on earth That goes on and on through ages yet to come – eternal things. I’m learning now as the increasing light of spiritual day Reveals not only that which is fundamental, but precious fruits, Once hidden in the shadows of protecting leaves of truth – Now hangs before my eyes awaiting my eager hands of faith To taste and see – that from the Vine come not only that Which meets the needs most basic, but adds great flavor – Of truths which now applied bring the smile of joy Upon the face as things long hidden, now are claimed. Not just claimed but experienced and soon become to me, A personal reality – and things once just words in a book, Now become a life shared with God – that fairly live and breathe Their own aroma of divine intent for me – not only now – But forever shared with God.
“Some verses of scripture, Father, breathe out a very special aroma of truth that has a special hold on me. This is one that gives assurance of the written word as a guarantee of eternal life to those who believe on the Son. I rest and rejoice in these words, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Putting faith in "the name of the Son of God" comes when we have confidence in what is written in the word of God. The scripture is very plain - our certainty of eternal life is based on the promise of God, not on our hopes and feelings. A mental assent to what one has been taught is not what "believing on the Son" means. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life," is an unreserved trust in our Lord Jesus Christ alone as the One who takes away our sin. His sacrifice for our sins is the only way "the wages of sin" is dealt with. "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures," is a fact, not a feeling.
Our assurance of having eternal life now and forever is based on the word of God. Sometimes God's people feel close to Him and have joy and assurance of their spiritual life. Other times they may feel far away because of failure or some besetting sin. We know we have eternal life when we believe God's truth about the matter. The false teachings of emotional excitement, professed miraculous events, seeing visions and other out of the ordinary things as proof of salvation are deceptive. They mislead many into thinking they are saved even though they do not know the Lord. They just know what "happened to them." "This is life eternal; that they might know Thee, the only True God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent."