Russian Art/Literary Religion

John further confirms this understanding of the text by his closing
remarks at the end of his first epistle: “And we know that the Son of God
has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him
who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This
is the true God and eternal life” (5:20).
Here again, eternal life is equated with the knowledge of God through
the Son in the context of a personal and intimate relationship. The logical
order is as follows: Through the preaching of the gospel and the regen-
erating and illuminating work of the indwelling Spirit, God gives life,
understanding, and a willing heart to His people.