How does this verse connect with Hebrews 11:1 on faith and assurance? Setting the Two Verses Side-by-Side • Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” • 1 John 5:13: “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Shared Vocabulary: Assurance, Certainty, Knowing • Both verses move faith from vague optimism to settled confidence. • Hebrews speaks of “assurance” (ὑπόστασις, foundation) and “certainty.” John says believers “may know” (οἶδα, settled knowledge). • Assurance in Hebrews is forward-looking (“what we hope for”), while John applies that same assurance to the present reality of eternal life. Faith’s Two Directions • Hebrews 11:1 stresses the unseen future—promised realities not yet experienced. • 1 John 5:13 stresses the unseen present—eternal life already possessed but not yet visible. • Together, they show faith anchoring both tomorrow’s hope and today’s security. Grounds for Assurance • Hebrews grounds assurance in God’s character and promises (Hebrews 10:23; Numbers 23:19). • John grounds assurance in the finished work and trustworthy name of the Son (John 20:31; Acts 4:12). • The same God who guarantees future promises also confirms present salvation; faith rests on His unchanging truth (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). The Spirit’s Role • Hebrews 11 celebrates saints who “saw” by faith; the Spirit enabled that sight (2 Corinthians 4:13). • John implies the Spirit’s testimony that we are born of God (1 John 5:6, 10; Romans 8:16). • Assurance is not self-generated but Spirit-wrought, reinforcing that faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). Practical Takeaways • When doubts arise about God’s future promises, revisit Hebrews 11:1. • When doubts arise about your present standing, revisit 1 John 5:13. • Memorizing both verses ties confidence in salvation today to confidence in glory tomorrow (Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12). • Genuine faith produces a settled calm: we are secure now and will be secure then (Hebrews 6:19; John 10:28-29). Living in the Tension of “Already–Not Yet” • Hebrews reminds us we still wait; John reminds us we already possess. • Faith embraces both truths—rejoicing in current possession of eternal life while eagerly anticipating its full unveiling (1 Peter 1:3-5). |
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