1 John 5:1-13
Q.1. What makes a true child of God? Why are God’s commandments no longer a burden to those who have received the Saviour? What part does faith play in the life of overcomers? – (1 Jn.5:1-4)
A true child of God not only believes that Jesus is his Messiah (i.e. Saviour), … but also loves all those who are reborn and belong to Him. Before we understood the Gospel, we were on a feverish quest to try to gain favour with God by our own flawed efforts. It is frustrating that our performance is so imperfect and disheartening, that we are never good enough to belong. How different it is for those who come under the Gospel. We are declared righteous and acceptable to God. Therefore, we want to please Him. This we do by loving Him and keeping His commands. Now, the keeping of His commandments is no longer a burden because nothing can take our acceptance and sonship away. Our relationship with Christ is built on faith. Our confidence that we are accepted in the Beloved, is built on faith. When our faith in Him is eroded, so is our confidence and our ability to overcome. Victory is all built on our faith in the power of the Living Word, based on His written Word (1 Jn.4:4 c.f. Rom.10:17).
Q.2. What impact does accepting Jesus as Son of God have on a believer? What part does the Holy Spirit play in testifying to the truth about Jesus? Does the witness of the Godhead agree? [A few late manuscripts add verse 8 – In heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And these are three that testify on earth, the Spirit] – (1 Jn.5:5-9)
The more we understand about the significance of Jesus as the Son of God, the more we will overcome the temporary enticements of the world. John had heard Jesus teach that the role of the Holy Spirit is to bear testimony to the truth about Him (1 Jn.5:6 c.f. Jn.14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:13-14). The truth about Jesus was confirmed by the Godhead at His baptism, which was summed up as – the water. His death and resurrection were summed up with – the blood (1 Jn.5:6 c.f. Mt.16-17; Rom.1:4). Without the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, no one will receive Jesus as Saviour and Son of God (Jn.16:7-11). There is complete agreement between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Their testimony is vastly superior to that of any human witnesses.
Q.3. What is God’s testimony about His Son? How is this communicated to believers? What guarantees us eternal life? Why did the apostle John write? – (1 Jn.5:10-13)
God’s testimony about His Son is simple yet profound – 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life (1 Jn.5:11-12). Being a Christian is about much more than beliefs or reciting orthodox creeds. It is about a relationship. This relationship is with God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The Christian faith is exactly that. It is faith. We pass from unbelief to faith, by the operation of the Holy Spirit. We gain assurance by the indwelling Holy Spirit – The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself … (1 Jn.5:10). Eternal life is guaranteed to all who have received the testimony that the Holy Spirit has born to Jesus, as Saviour and Son of God. John explained why he wrote this epistle – … so that our joy may be made complete (1 Jn.1:4) and also – … so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 Jn.5:13). We know that the Saviour is the Son of God, by the witness of the Holy Spirit.