Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Testimony Concerning the Son of God 6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. That You May Know 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Meditation The grace and love of God gives new perspective of the commands of God for His children. Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest, stating that His commands are easy and His burdens light (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus is gentle and lowly in heart, and when we know His love, we will show our love by joyfully obeying His commands. John continues detailing marks of true believers by doubling down on how we “know we are children of God,” namely “that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1-5). The steadfast love of God secures believers as children of God so our perspectives on the commands of God are transformed from a sense of duty to delight. The work of Jesus testifies with the Spirit to transform how we see our work for God. The “water and the blood” refer to the baptism and death of Jesus, summarizing Jesus’ earthly ministry. With the Spirit, these three testify to eternal life given to children of God (6-12). Note the emphasis on “testimony” as the root word is repeated ten times in this section. Their testimony assures us of salvation (13), affirms our prayers (14-15), anchors us in God’s forgiveness for sins (16-18), and turns our affections from idols (19-21). The fact of knowing the love of God is revealed in the fruit of love for God, welcoming the commands of our Father, and loving our spiritual siblings as He loves us. Grace transforms God’s commands from duty to delight. Richly Dwelling -What is your response to the second half of our key verse, that God’s commands are not burdensome? What does this reveal about your understanding of God and His love for you? -What fresh perspective on God’s commands does this Chapter highlight for you? -How can you grow in showing your love for God by obeying the commands of God? Be specific. Key Verse 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. Comments are closed.
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AuthorPastor Mitchell celebrates twenty-five years of marriage with Lisa & together they have four adventurous children. |