1 John 5
Love and Faith.In this section, John explains how faith and love are connected in the Christian life. He shows that everyone who believes in Jesus is a child of God, and that loving God means loving his children too. True love for others comes from loving God and keeping his commandments. John also teaches that faith in Jesus gives believers the power to overcome the world and its temptations.v. 1: John says, Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him (1 John 5:1 a). If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, you are born of God. This means you are part of God’s family. If you love God, you will also love other believers, because they are God’s children too (2 John 1:3 b). v. 2: John explains how we know we truly love God’s children: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments (1 John 5:2 c). Real love for others comes from loving God first and obeying what he says. We do not love others just because they are nice or like us, but because they belong to God. v. 3: John continues, For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3 d). Loving God means obeying his commands. When we truly love God, his commands are not hard or a burden. Instead, we find joy in doing what pleases him (Psalm 119:32 e). v. 4: John teaches, For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4 f). Everyone who is born of God has the power to overcome the world’s temptations and troubles. Faith in Jesus is what gives us victory. Faith helps us stay close to Jesus, love God more than the world, and look forward to heaven (Galatians 1:4; Galatians 6:14 g). v. 5: John asks, Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5 h). The true conqueror of the world is the one who believes in Jesus as the Son of God. This faith helps us reject the world’s sinful ways and trust that Jesus will bring us to eternal life (1 John 2:16; John 14:2 i; 2 Corinthians 5:2 j). The Witnesses in Heaven and on EarthThis section explains the strong reasons Christians have for believing in Jesus Christ as the true Son of God and Savior. John shows that Jesus came to save us in a special way, bringing both cleansing and forgiveness. God gives several kinds of testimony to prove that Jesus is the Christ, so that believers can have confidence in their faith.v. 6: Jesus Christ came by water and blood. The water means he cleanses us from the inside, removing the power and pollution of sin through the Holy Spirit (the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Titus 3:5 k). The blood means he takes away our guilt before God by his sacrifice (without shedding of blood there is no remission, Hebrews 9:22 l). Both are needed for our salvation—cleansing and forgiveness. When Jesus died, both water and blood flowed from his side (John 19:34 m), showing he provides everything needed to save us. v. 7: There are three witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word (which means Jesus, the Son), and the Holy Spirit. These three are one, showing the full unity of God. Each Person of the Trinity gives testimony that Jesus is truly the Christ (there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one, 1 John 5:7 n). v. 8: There are also three witnesses on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood. The Spirit changes the hearts of believers and helps them obey God (that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, John 3:6 o). The water shows Jesus’ purity and the power to make people clean, both in his own life and in the lives of his followers. The blood shows his sacrifice for our sins and the love he showed by dying for us. All three agree, proving that Jesus is the Savior (these three agree in one, 1 John 5:8 p). v. 9: If we accept the witness of people, we should accept the witness of God even more. God himself has given testimony about his Son, so Christians can be sure that Jesus is truly the way to be saved (the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son,. The Believer's Privilege.This section explains the special blessings that come from believing in Jesus Christ. John teaches that true believers have a personal experience of faith, which gives them confidence and hope. He also shows that rejecting Jesus is a serious sin, because it means calling God a liar. Finally, John explains that eternal life is a gift from God, given to us only through his Son, and that believers can be sure of this life.v. 10: John says, He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself . A real Christian not only believes the message about Jesus but also has a personal testimony inside. The believer knows the power of Christ to forgive, give peace, and change hearts. If someone does not believe God’s message about his Son, they make God a liar by refusing to trust his testimony. v. 11: John explains the main point of God’s message: This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11 q). God has promised and provided eternal life for us, and the only way to have this life is through Jesus (John 1:4; Colossians 3:4 r). v. 12: John makes it clear: He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life (1 John 5:12 s). If you have a real relationship with Jesus, you have eternal life. If you reject Jesus, you do not have this life and remain under God’s judgment (John 3:36 t). v. 13: John gives his reason for writing these things: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13 u). He wants believers to be sure that they have eternal life and to encourage them to keep trusting in Jesus. This assurance brings comfort, confidence, and motivation to stay faithful to Christ. The Sin unto Death.In this section, John explains the privilege of prayer for believers and gives guidance on how to pray for others, especially when dealing with sin. He also discusses the concept of sins that lead to death and those that do not, providing clarity on how Christians should approach these situations in prayer.v. 14: John says, This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 John 5:14 v). Believers can confidently pray to God, knowing that he hears their prayers when they align with his will. Prayer should not be selfish or against God’s purposes, but when it is in harmony with his will, we can trust that he listens. v. 15: John continues, If we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (1 John 5:15 w). When we are sure that God hears our prayers, we can also be sure that he will answer them in the way that is best for us. This assurance brings peace and confidence to believers. v. 16: John gives specific instructions about praying for others: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for those that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it (1 John 5:16 x). Christians should pray for others who sin, asking God to forgive and restore them. However, there are sins that lead to death, and John does not encourage prayer for those. These sins may include final rejection of God, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, or total apostasy (Hebrews 10:27 y). v. 17: John clarifies, All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death (1 John 5:17 z). While all sin is wrong and deserves punishment, not all sin leads to eternal death. Some sins can be forgiven, and believers can pray for those who commit them, trusting in God’s mercy and grace. Privileges of Believers.This section reviews the special blessings that belong to Christians. John explains that those who are born of God have power over sin, are protected from the devil, belong to God’s kingdom, understand the true God through Jesus, and are joined to God forever. He finishes with a warning to stay away from idols and anything that could take God’s place in our lives.v. 18: John says, We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not (1 John 5:18 aa). Christians are changed by God’s Spirit. They do not keep living in sin or let sin control their lives. God gives them strength to resist the devil, who cannot harm them in a way that leads to eternal death (1 John 3:6 ab). v. 19: John continues, We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness . Believers belong to God and are his special people. But most of the world is under the power of evil. Christians are called out from the world to belong to God (Deuteronomy 32:9 ac). v. 20: John teaches, And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life (1 John 5:20 ad). Jesus came to show us the true God and to help us know him. When we are joined to Jesus, we are joined to the real God and have eternal life (John 1:1; John 17:3 ae). v. 21: John closes with a warning: Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21 af). He tells believers to stay away from anything that takes God’s place in their hearts. We should love, trust, and obey the true God, and reject all false gods or anything that competes with God in our lives.
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