The Book of
1 John 5
21 verses≈ 4 minBSB
Images are artistic interpretations.
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Where we are
- 1–2:27In the lightGod is light; confess and obey
- 2:28–4:6Children of GodBorn of Him, doing what is right
- 4:7–5:12God is loveLoved by Him, we love each otherChapter 5
- 5:13–21Knowing for sureEternal life in the Son
Overcoming the World
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.
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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, because everyone born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.
1 John 5:4
Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.
Three that testify
Whiteboard
John calls three witnesses to Jesus. Most Christians understand the water as His baptism, where His public work began, and the blood as His death on the cross. He came “not by water alone, but by water and blood”: the One who was baptized is the very One who died for us. And the Spirit still bears witness to Him. Three witnesses, one testimony.
God’s Testimony about His Son
Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.
Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Question
Quick question
John says God Himself has given testimony about His Son, and it is greater than any human witness.
What does God’s testimony say, according to John?
Effective Prayer
I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin. All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.
0:19
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
Pray
Ask for a brother
John says that if you see a brother or sister stumbling, “he should ask God, who will give life.” Think of a fellow believer who is struggling right now. Bring them to God by name. Ask Him to restore them and give them life, and ask with confidence, because “He hears us.”
The True God
He is the true God and eternal life.
1 John 5:20
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Reflect
So that you may know
John wrote “so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Not hope so, not wonder: know. Where do you most need that assurance today? And what in your life is quietly trying to take God’s place, the thing John means when he says “keep yourselves from idols”?
You’ve experienced
1 John 5
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A verse to carry with you
I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
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