Beyond A Reasonable Doubt

1 John 5.6-13

There are few situations in which it is more important to minimize uncertainty than for a juror in reaching a verdict in a trial. Oftentimes a human life hangs in the balance. Each juror must be thorough in considering all relevant testimony, qualifying each witness, and ultimately reaching a final verdict. It can be argued that a jury must reach a verdict without achieving absolute certainty. Still, it remains true that each juror is called upon to reach a verdict regarding the case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Likewise, it can be argued that the Christian’s belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ and their confidence regarding eternal life do not rest upon absolute certainty. Yet the Christian must come to a final verdict in their own heart regarding the case of the gospel. Every Christian can reach a verdict beyond any reasonable doubt.

John writes his first letter to this very purpose. Any who has placed their trust in Jesus Christ for eternal life can know beyond any reasonable doubt that they have it. Thirty-nine times John uses the word “know” to emphasize the certainty of the Christian life.

In our last study, we heard the resounding call to bold faith in Jesus Christ. John emphasized the object of our faith, that which would foster its growth, and that which endangered its survival. He follows this call to faith by setting before us the solid testimony that corroborates our faith. The believer is not called to blind faith, but a faith based upon solid evidence, corroborated by irrefutable testimony.

Jesus Christ was put on trial by the false teachers of John’s day. The same is true today. John considered the truth regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ to be essential to the gospel. One must believe Him to be both fully God and fully man, sent by the Father as Savior to suffer upon the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. For John there was no budging on these truth claims. In the passage we study here, John presents irrefutable testimony corroborating this truth.

CONSIDER THE TESTIMONY (6-8)

Long before a juror attempts to come to a verdict they will give careful attention to all testimony, reflect upon it, and comparing the testimony of all witnesses for consistency. Does the testimony confirm the charges brought against the defendant? Is the testimony consistent or conflicting? John directs our attention to the testimony of three witnesses, the water, the blood, and the Spirit.

Water here is a reference to Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. It was at this time the skies are said to have opened, the Spirit descended upon Jesus and a voice from heaven was heard saying, “You are my Beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” This was the introduction of Jesus to the children of Israel as the Christ, the one chosen of God as Savior.

Blood is John’s way of pointing us to the crucifixion. While Jesus Christ hung upon the cross the skies turned dark for three hours in the middle of the day. The ground shook and the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. The crucifixion provided testimony so convincing that even a hardened Roman centurion with a front row seat for all that occurred said in amazement, “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

At both the baptism and crucifixion, the Spirit testified to the truth regarding the person and work of Christ. The testimony is credible, consistent, and convincing. The Baptism of our Lord, the crucifixion, and the ongoing witness of His Spirit each agree as one in their testimony on behalf of Jesus Christ.

QUALIFY THE WITNESSES (9-10)

John appeals to the authority and credibility of the one providing testimony, namely, God Himself. Inasmuch as we readily receive the testimony of men, we should be infinitely more receptive to testimony given by God regarding Jesus Christ. When considering testimony as we discussed above, it is vitally important that we consider the source of the testimony. Is the one providing testimony truthful? Is their testimony based upon first-hand knowledge? Are they of a reliable character so as to be considered credible? These and other considerations come into play when qualifying a witness.

John’s use of the word “if” does not refer to an unfulfilled condition, but rather a fulfilled condition. Not “if possibly…” but rather, “as it is the case that we receive the witness of men” captures his intent here. Daily and almost casually we put our confidence in the testimony of men. How much more should we put our confidence in the testimony of one far greater—God.

Consider also the fact that we have a clear record of God’s testimony as to the case regarding His Son. Certainly we should place confidence in such testimony. To fail to do so is to make God out to be a liar and discredit Him as a witness. This would be both audacious and unreasonable. John explicitly states that the believer has this witness in himself. That is to say, the truth of God’s testimony on behalf of His Son rings true in the heart of every believer and should be considered reliable. This brings to mind the Apostle Paul’s words to the Romans that “His Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God.”

CONFIRM THE VERDICT (11-13)

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Benjamin Franklin included the famous phrase in a letter to a French contemporary, making a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ reference to the inevitability of paying taxes. At the same time, the phrase emphasizes the vast uncertainty life involves. It is an inescapable reality that there is much that we cannot be sure about. Uncertainty is uncomfortable—it leads to second-guessing, indecision, and hedging.

The natural reaction to uncertainty is to attempt to eliminate it, or at least minimize it. We gather information, we put things to the test, we seek confirmation, and all the solid evidence we can put our hands on. Whether we are troubleshooting problems with our home irrigation system, setting up a retirement account, or settling a dispute among our children, we seek to minimize uncertainty—we strive for certainty.

Absolute certainty is seldom, if ever, achieved, either in a courtroom or otherwise. Yet, we can be confident of a great many things beyond any reasonable doubt. The truth of the gospel and the life we now enjoy in Him are things we can be sure of beyond any reasonable doubt. We walk by faith, yes, but our belief is not blind and irrational.

John emphasizes the well-founded verdict, that you may know, beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life. He who has the Son, has the life. What does it mean to “have the Son?” Think of it this way. Someone might say, “I have a dollar,” or “I have a cold,” or “I have a lawyer.” Have means different things in each case. However, it means the same thing in each case in that whatever it is you have does, it does for you. If you have the Son—whatever the Son does, He does for you! And what does the Son do for every believer? He provides eternal life. “He who has the Son has the life. The life here refers to all the blessings offered by God both in this earth-bound life and life in heaven for all eternity!

John’s intention for writing this entire letter comes into clear focus in these verses, that every believer may be confident of the facts regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ and continue to enjoy the life they have found in Him.

CONCLUSION

All live by faith. We demonstrate faith in a doctor when we allow him to treat us, faith in the pharmacist when we take the medications they supply, and faith in the cooks at the restaurant when we eat the food they prepare. The confidence we place in others in these situations would not be considered unreasonable, though each involves an element of faith.

Remember, John’s reason for writing this letter was to encourage those who have already arrived at a verdict regarding Jesus Christ to remain steadfast in believing. The Christian can know that they have eternal life. Some critics of Christianity charge believers with arrogance. They contend that to claim that one knows that they are “saved” and will go to heaven one day is unbridled hubris. But the believer’s confidence is not based upon his own merit or performance. Instead he has complete confidence in God’s provision through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is only human pride that could call God into question on the matter.

May you and I stand fast in knowing, beyond any reasonable doubt, that we have eternal life because of the confirming testimony given by the most credible witnesses regarding Jesus Christ.