1 John 5:1-12

As John closes out his letter to these believers, he re-emphasizes the characteristics of those who are the children of God. First, “whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…” (5:1). This belief in Jesus is not just a belief in His existence, but also a belief in His identity as the Savior from sin. A person’s belief in Jesus is always expressed in his actions and John reminds his readers of what he has already written, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (5:2-3). Belief in Jesus Christ will lead a person to love God, love others, and obey God’s commandments. Although a follower of Christ is not perfect in all of his ways, these characteristics are consistently evident in his attitudes and actions. The opposite is true also. Those whose lifestyles do not habitually model these characteristics reveal that their faith is not genuine, regardless of what they claim. So that his readers will not be discouraged by the deceitfulness of the world and those who spread lies, John reminds them of the victory they have in Jesus Christ, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (5:4-5) The believer is promised to overcome daily trials, temptations, and struggles of the world through faith in Jesus. This promise does not mean that all hardship will be removed from the path of the Christian, but it does mean that God provides the strength to endure without losing hope.

John has just described that all believers have victory and hope through Jesus Christ and in 1 John 5:6-12 he confirms the sufficiency of Jesus as the object of our faith. Since the false teachers questioned the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, John presents Him as the divine One whom God the Father also sent as a man in order to die for the sins of those who believe. John writes, “This is He who came by water and blood–Jesus Christ; not only by water [baptism], but by water and blood [death]. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth (5:6). Jesus’ baptism as well as His death testified to His observable humanity, but the Holy Spirit also confirmed the testimony of God through His inner witness. John was probably writing these things to combat a specific dualistic false teaching which said that the divine Christ entered the human man, Jesus, at His baptism and then departed before His death; however, John wanted his readers to know that Jesus’ deity (and humanity) was not only evident in His baptism, but also His death. Beyond the earthly witness of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ baptism, and Jesus’ death (5:8), there were three heavenly witnesses – God the Father, God the Son (the Word), and God the Holy Spirit (5:7). As one, their witness establishes truth. If a person willingly receives human testimony, how much more should they be willing to receive the testimony of God? (5:9-10)

John then writes regarding the end result of those who believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior from sin, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (5:11-12). John probably inserts this reminder for those false teachers who claimed that believers could not have eternal life through Jesus Christ. To imply that eternal life can be given outside of belief in Jesus Christ is a lie and anyone who teaches this invites God’s judgment. It is important that we accept only one way to eternal life -belief in Jesus Christ – and anyone who teaches otherwise must be rejected.

Dear God, thank You for giving eternal life to those who believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ. I know I am undeserving of Your forgiveness, but I receive Your mercy with open arms so I can enjoy everlasting life in Your presence.