Chris asks a great question:
If I believe that Jesus has the power to give me everlasting life, is that the same as believing that He is the Giver of everlasting life (because I believe He has the power to give me everlasting life)? The Scripture says that all who believe Jesus is the Giver of everlasting life have everlasting life, right? So I was wondering if I have everlasting life because I believe that Jesus has the power to give me everlasting life.
I’ve heard a number of variations on that question. It boils down to whether we need to believe that Jesus can give us everlasting life because we believe in Him or whether He has given us everlasting life because we believe in Him. In the first case, we don’t know where we’re going when we die, but we know that Jesus can save us if He wishes. We just don’t know whether He will save us. In the second case, we’re sure we’ll be with Him forever because He can save all who believe in Him and guarantees that He will. His guarantee is better than the U.S. government’s FDIC guarantee.
Chris lacks assurance of his eternal destiny: “So I was wondering if I have everlasting life…”
He alludes to John 4:10 when he speaks of Jesus being “the Giver of everlasting life.” Chris needs to notice that John 4:10 has two elements that we must believe, not just one. Not only must we believe that Jesus is the Giver; we must also believe that He gives the Gift of God, which is everlasting life, to all who drink the living water—that is, to all who believe in Him for that Gift (John 4:14).
The woman at the well thought that Jesus was offering a special type of water that would mean she’d never need to draw or drink physical water again (John 4:15). She understood the permanent aspect of the living water. But she did not yet understand that He was talking about His own life (John 11:25; 14:6), which He imparts to the believer. That life, when received, can never be lost. In order to have the Gift of God—everlasting life that can never be lost—she had to believe that it is guaranteed to the believer.
I urge Chris, and all who lack assurance, to ask God to guide them into the truth. Don’t just ask once. Ask repeatedly (see Luke 18:1-8; see also Matt 7:7-11). And while you’re at it, read the Gospel of John, the only evangelistic book in the Bible (John 20:30-31). It is designed to lead people to assurance of their eternal destinies (e.g., John 3:16; 5:24; 6:35, 37, 39-40, 47; 11:25-27).
Believing that Jesus has the power, authority, and ability to give everlasting life is great. But that is not the same as believing in Him for the gift of God. You must also believe that He guarantees everlasting life to all who believe in Him for that gift.
