1 John 5:12 12The one who has the Son has life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
This verse individualizes the promise of eternal life. Not all who label themselves “Christian” have eternal life. John particularizes his central thesis to the “whosoever” often found in Scripture. The key thought in this verse is found in the substantival participle used twice: the one who has/does not have (exōn). This word is common in the New Testament and has various nuances, depending on the context. One use expresses a close personal relationship with another person, such as having a spouse or close friend. To “have” the Son implies the relationship of faith that John has mentioned in numerous ways in the letter. To have the Son means being close to him as Lord, Savior, and Friend and acknowledging and accepting his love and forgiveness.
Our goal is life, both now and in eternity. Life is something beyond physical breath and beat of our heart. It is a quality of our existence where we have meaning, purpose, and relationship. The critical choice in life is what to do with Jesus Christ. This verse leaves no room for doubt that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and the only way to the Father (John 14:6). John has made the choice clear in his letter: if we want life, we must choose the Son. As we come to the last section of the letter, John gives a summary of all he has written. His message is not difficult to understand, but for some people it is hard to accept because it requires them to trust someone they have not seen firsthand. We must rely on the witness of those who were there and the record they left in the Bible. We can accept in faith the inner witness of the Holy Spirit as we hear or read the ancient testimonies of the first Christians.