In the story of Abraham and Isaac, another great symbolism emerges into reality that defines the basis for the Christian faith. In addition to the lamb becoming the last second substitute for the young son, Isaac, the angel pronounces an unending blessing of “seed” upon Abraham’s family for generations to come because he did not withhold “his son, his only son.”
The faith of this patriarch was such that he “reasoned that God could raise the dead and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac (the young, innocent son) back from death” (Heb. 11:19). The tremendous faith of a man is apparent and the amazing love of God is displayed. Now, 2000 years later, this story repeats itself but only on and in divine, eternal reality. “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
John, the Apostle, is the only writer to pen these words of Jesus in this much-quoted verse. This message, however, continues to be powerfully expounded upon by John in his future letters. In 1 John 5, we find more references to “The Son” (and only Son) than any other place in scripture. Verses 1-5 explain that to love God is to obey His commands and that by doing so in faith, we can overcome the world through our active belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
Verses 6-9 tell us that the testimony of God about his only Son is verified both in heaven and on earth. If anyone denies this testimony, they make God out to be a “liar.” But, to believe this testimony about God’s Son is to have this testimony in our hearts. John writes: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
Confidence, assurance and faith — these are what John points to next in verses 13-21. He writes: “I write these things to you who believe in the name (Jesus, the Christ) of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” We are to be certain and not doubt. A life which seeks the fullness of serving the one and only Son of God will produce this confidence, this assurance, this faith. John concludes: “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true – even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
This understanding produces a power through the spiritual, factual, historical reality of the only begotten Son of God. This power is greater than any power on the face of the earth. “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world,” rings loud and true from the Ancient Words written in the days of God’s Son.
This core principle continues to arm Christians today to fight the battle of unbelief and denial that persists to resist the eternal truth that Jesus Christ is God’s only Son. It remains in the Ancient Words, only through the Son can one reach the Father of all mankind: “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him…..If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” 1 John 4:7-16!
(Scott Johnson is pastor at East Faulkner Church of Christ and author of the BRG Bible.)