Knowing

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.  (I John 5:13 ESV)

Knowing

We know a lot of things, it seems.  I know my favorite TV show (Star Trek) and food (bacon). I know where I live (rural Kansas).  I know my age (redacted). I know that I prefer smiles to tears. I know that tomorrow is Thursday.  I know that gravity is consistent.

But my favorite TV show and food have changed many times.

But I have lived in at least nine other communities.

But my age changes regularly.

But sometimes tears are necessary, and smiles are painful.

But tomorrow, tomorrow will be Friday.

But sometimes gravity seems stronger, and I stumble.

Knowing is not really knowing, it seems.

But the word John uses in I John 5:13 does not mean guess, or deduce, or figure, or reckon, or think, or hope, or have some confidence… it means absolute sure knowledge.  Knowledge that is more sure than any other knowledge our senses attain.  Knowledge that is more sure than sunrises, electrons, rocks, or anything.

We can know that we have eternal life.

Because God’s Word says so.

Scripture alone.