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John brings faith, love, and obedience together and shows that they cannot be separated. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and those born of God will love both the Father and His children (1 John 5:1). Love for God is not vague emotion. It is shown by obeying His commandments, and John says those commandments are not burdensome because the new birth changes our hearts (1 John 5:2–3). Those who have been born of God overcome the world — not by personal strength, but by faith in Jesus as the Son of God (1 John 5:4–5). In other words, victory over the world’s lies, pressures, and sinful desires comes through trusting Christ.
John then points to God’s testimony concerning His Son. Jesus came by water and blood, most likely referring to His baptism and His death, and the Spirit also bears witness because the Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6–8). These witnesses agree that Jesus is truly the Son of God. To reject that testimony is not a small matter. It is to call God a liar by refusing what He has plainly said about His Son (1 John 5:9–10). And God’s testimony is wonderfully clear: He has given us eternal life, and that life is found in His Son alone (1 John 5:11). That is why John can speak so plainly: whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:12; cf. John 14:6).
John says he wrote so believers may know they have eternal life (1 John 5:13). This assurance is meant to lead to confident prayer. When we ask according to God’s will, He hears us, and we can trust Him with what we have placed before Him (1 John 5:14–15). John also urges believers to pray for a brother or sister caught in sin, showing that real faith cares about the spiritual good of others (1 John 5:16–17). He closes with strong reminders: those born of God do not make a practice of sinning, God protects His people from the evil one, the whole world lies in Satan’s power, and the Son of God has come so that we may know Him who is true (1 John 5:18–20). The final warning, “keep yourselves from idols,” fits the whole letter. Anything false that pulls us away from the true God revealed in Jesus must be rejected (1 John 5:21).
🌀 Reflection:
Do you live as though eternal life is uncertain, or do you rest in God’s testimony about His Son? John wants believers to have settled confidence that life is found in Jesus and nowhere else.
💬 Mission Challenge:
Encourage someone today with the truth that eternal life is found in Christ alone, and pray specifically for a brother or sister who needs help walking faithfully with Him.
Continue reading in our NT260 plan in the rest of Phase 4 — That You May Believe.
Just Keith Harris 