1 John 5:9-13 (NRSV)
Read 1 John 5:9-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son.
Verse 10Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. Verse 11And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Verse 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. Verse 13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Devotion
The Clinical Pastoral Education chaplain at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon had asked us how we planned to go about our hospital visits. Basically, we didn't have a clue, but dove in expressing possible goals. Richard, wanting to impress our supervisor, had decided how he was going to use his time efficiently. The program was six weeks. So, 30 days times six hours a day would total 180 hours, giving him 10,800 minutes to use. Allowing for travel time in the building and 10 minutes for each visit, he declared he would call on 1,000 patients. We were impressed, and were eager to hear what our supervisor would comment. He stopped us all in our tracks when he suggested, "If you're working out your salvation maybe 1,000 isn't enough." What joy for us that scripture makes it clear that we are saved by grace through faith, that, "you who believe may know that you have eternal life."
Prayer
Lord, how grateful I am for the incredible gift of salvation. I believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and that he died on the cross so that I may have life with Jesus eternally. My joy now in that promise must be very little compared to the reality waiting for me! Amen.