1 John 5: All About Jesus
As I sit and ponder these first couple of verses in 1 John chapter 5, I wonder how do I love my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I ask myself if I truly love them the way Jesus has commanded me to love. Do I look at them in judgement? Do I disagree with their lifestyle choices and, in return, have hard feelings toward them? Do I pridefully think I am a better Christian than they are? Maybe we have all had these feelings before. We read 1 John and thoughts may go through our heads that loving all other Christians is too hard. You may feel pressure that you cannot live up to that command. When we feel that way, we are once again focused on striving for perfection. We have learned in the past that the desire for perfection leads to selfishness, pride, jealousy, and disappointment.
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
1 John 5:3-5
I keep going back to these verses. Our human and worldly nature may get a little anxious when we read 1 John because our thoughts immediately go to how difficult it is to love. We feel a heavy burden in our chest because we remember all the times we have not shown love and we feel like we cannot meet these standards of love. Jesus’ commands are not supposed to be burdensome. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I don’t know about you, but I needed to read those verses this morning. I have read these verses many times but when I think about them in the way of following Jesus’ commands of love and how sometimes in our lives that is going to be difficult, I am filled with encouragement and strength. My friends, this is not something to worry about being perfect at. Only through Jesus Christ can we have this agape love He is commanding of us. Verse 5 asks us who it is that will overcome the world. Who is the one that will let go of the jealousy, hatred, and bitterness of this world? The answer is, those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Our belief in Jesus and our faith is what drives us to love each other. We could never do it on our own, our human nature would not allow it. So, sit back and relax in the truth that the Holy Spirit is giving you the power and everything you need to show love to others. You just need to obey what is in your heart.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
What makes loving your brothers and sisters in Christ difficult?
How is the Holy Spirit prompting you this week to obey this calling to love?
We see that when we fully believe in who Jesus is, both man and God, we are able to overcome our society and culture. John is expanding on this truth of who Jesus Christ is in verses 6-12. In chapter 5 verse 6, it says that Jesus came by water and blood. The water refers to His baptism and the blood refers to His death on the cross. If Jesus were just a man, He could not have taken away the sins of the world at His death. Only God could have the power to do such a mighty act. Through Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, we get our proof and testimony that Jesus is God in the flesh.
In the Bible, two or three witnesses are required to validate testimony. In the King James Version, verse 7 says, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” Then it goes on in verse 8 to say, “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” These verses emphasize the oneness of God as Father, Word as Jesus, and Spirit. These three are in agreement with Jesus’ identity.
Remember, John was speaking to people who were being taught falsely that Jesus was not the Son of God. John was proving to them who Jesus was and that they should believe in the Holy Trinity because that is what leads to eternal life. We are told in verse 12 that if you do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you do not have life. Everything comes through Jesus!
Write down who you believe Jesus is.
If you question who Jesus is, ask God to give you insight and wisdom in His Word so that you may fully understand. You can reach out to me, to your pastor, or a Christian friend for help.
The end of 1 John is jam packed with important information on Christian living.
We do not need to hope for eternal life because Jesus has already promised us eternal life through His Son. Eternal life is not based on our work or our feelings, it is based on fact. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we were promised eternal life with Him. This life begins now, we do not have to wait for a life with Jesus. It is available through our relationship with God’s Son, Jesus.
Jesus hears our prayers. We are to approach God with confidence that He hears us and will answer us according to His will. When we align our prayers to His will, meaning we do not approach God with demands but in reverence to His will for our lives, our prayers will always be answered. Go into your prayers as a discussion with God. What is He wanting for your life? Don’t be afraid to ask Him for guidance as you speak to Him. He will lead the discussion and give you confidence in your prayers. Jesus says in John 16:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”
Those who believe in Jesus Christ will not have death from sin. Our sins are forgiven because of Jesus’ death on the cross and our repentance. But we are expected as believers to specifically pray to help other believers overcome sin in their lives because we all fall short and sin throughout our lives. We need each other to intercede for us and hold us accountable. There is a sin that does lead to death though. This sin is blatantly denying Jesus as God’s Son. John urges believers to stay away from these people. Antichrists are destructive to the body of Christ. John is telling us we are not responsible for these individuals. God is the only one who has the power to overcome the evil one.
When we are born of God, we are changed. Our desire to sin is diminished. We now have a desire to obey God’s commands. God keeps us safe from the evil of the world and Satan cannot harm us. God is our protection. I absolutely love that truth. I’m not sure why, but I had a fear of evil when I was a child. Dreams of evil surrounding me haunted me in the night. I will never forget these dreams and fears of Satan attacking me when I was a child. I know that may be a weird thing for a child to fear, but this fear was in me. The truth that God was protecting me gave me peace then, and it gives me peace now as an adult. God has already overcome evil, and He gives us understanding so that we can live in this truth without any doubt.
“Keep yourselves from idols.” Do you find it interesting that John chooses this sentence to end this book? John has affirmed who Jesus is throughout this entire book. An idol is anything that comes between us and God and draws our attention and affection away from God. This could be something that is spiritual or physical. All the falsehoods that John has addressed in this book are forms of idols. We are to run from idols and continue to strengthen our relationship with Christ. Never lose faith in who Jesus is!
Which of these truths stands out to you the most?
Commit to confidently praying for God to give you understanding and peace in this area.
Do you have any false beliefs in who Jesus is and His commands? What are they?
What has the book of 1 John taught you about your beliefs in Jesus Christ and His commands?