E-Mail Bible Class
The Letters of John
BC Weekly Digest Sunday, October 18 1998 In this issue: 1 John 5:1 1 John 5:2 1 John 5:3 1 John 5:4,5 1 John 5:1-7 1 John 5:4-7 1 John 5:1 1 John 5:1 (OPV) 1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God, and whoever loves Him who gives birth, loves him also who is born of Him. === 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God" As mentioned before, John uses simple words but never superficially. Superficial believers often misunderstand John. They mistakenly conclude, for example, that one can be born of God by nothing more than a superficial faith. For John, however, believing in Jesus as the Christ is not simply mental ascent, but a genuine, dedicated, living faith with all it entails. In verse four he adds: "whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith!" So believing that Jesus is the Christ involves overcoming the world! In verse 18 he clarifies what it means to overcome the world: "We know that anyone having been born of God does not continue sinning, but He who is born of God watches over him, and the evil one does not have a hold on him." So being born of God involves NOT continuing in sin. Of course, this rebirth by the power and grace of God is only accessible to those who believe. For John believing that Jesus is the Christ involves being "in Christ" as he clarifies in verses 11 and 12: "And the testimony is this, that God gives 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." When John says "born of God" these simple words involve a rebirth that completely corresponds with all the Spirit teaches through the word about the rebirth. Superficial believers sometimes think they can be saved by their own will, on their own terms, without submitting to the will of God. But they who have the word of God abiding in them, the word which followers of Christ have had from the beginning (1 John 2:7 and 14), understand what John means by "born of God." They know this birth is possible only by submitting to the will of God as expressed in His word: "He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:11 ASV). They know Jesus told Nicodemus: "Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!" (John 3:5 ASV). They know this new life begins at baptism: "Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with [him] in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection" (Rom 6:3-5 ASV). They know this birth occurs by the mercy of God through the washing of regeneration: "But when the kindness of God our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works [done] in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:4-7 ASV). 5:1 "And whoever loves Him who gives birth, loves him also who is born of Him" This is a continuation and further verification of the idea expressed at the close of chapter 4, "that he who loves God should love his brother also" (verse 21). The rebirth requires faithful obedience to the truth, not just superficial mental ascent, and it places one in the loving relationship of the family of God: "Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth" (1 Peter 1:22,23 ASV). Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 5:2 1 John 5:2 (OPV) 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do His commandments. === 5:2 "We know" As mentioned before, one of John's purposes is to emphasize how much we know and to explain how we know it. This is part of his refutation of the false teachers who claimed to have some special, hidden knowledge, unavailable to others. "And by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (1 John 2:3). "But whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he remains in Him ought himself also to walk as He walked" (1 John 2:5,6). "Little children, it is the final hour. And as you heard that antichrist was coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, by which we know that it is the final hour" (1 John 2:18). "We know that we have passed from death into life because we love the brethren. He who does not love, remains in death" (1 John 3:14). "We know love because He laid down His life for us" (1 John 3:16). "And by this we know that He remains in us, by the Spirit whom He gave us" (1 John 3:24). "We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God, does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error" (1 John 4:6). "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us [a portion] of His Spirit" (1 John 4:13). "I have written these things to you so you may know that you have eternal life -- to the ones who believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13)."And if we know that He hears us when we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:15). "We know that anyone having been born of God does not continue sinning" (1 John 5:18). "We know that we are of God, and the whole world is found in the evil one" (1 John 5:19). "And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding that we might know the True One, and we are in the True One, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God, and eternal life" (1 John 5:20). 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do His commandments" Among all these things we know, we can also know that we love the children of God. There is much misunderstanding about what constitutes love. Some people think they love their children because they give them everything they want and let them have their way in everything. A quick reading of Proverbs would let them know that such is not a sign of love but of hate! They are doing something that is bad for their children. Many other things that people think are expressions of love, are revealed by Scripture to be expressions of selfishness, because they harm others. If we love God and obey His commands, we will also have it right in our love for others because His commands are for our good and for the good of all mankind. Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 5:3 1 John 5:3 (OPV) 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. === John says in his second letter: "And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments" (2 John 6 OPV). Jesus emphasized love as the basis of true obedience: "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15 ASV). "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him" (John 14:21 ASV). Jesus related obedience to joy! "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and [that] your joy may be made full" (John 15:10,11 ASV). His commands are a source of joy when obeyed in love. A sister once told me that she did not understand this verse: "And His commandments are not burdensome." To her they were very burdensome! But she also insisted on having a 'command' for everything! She would ask me questions about every detail of life, wanting me to tell her exactly what to do. I explained that God has given us principles to live by. In many cases we must decide ourselves what to do from day to day on the basis of God-given principles. She never liked that reply, she wanted a specific command for everything. Eventually she left the faith and joined a sect with an abundant supply of man-made commands. Jesus said this about certain religious leaders of His time: "Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger" (Matt 23:4 ASV). Christ's commands are given in love. What He tells us to do is good for us. And His loving commands are obeyed in love and joy by those who accept His invitation: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30 ASV). Burdens are also lifted because Christians love each other: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2 ASV). Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 5:4,5 1 John 5:4,5 (OPV) 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith! 5 And who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? === The "young men" to whom John wrote had "overcome the evil one" (1 John 2:13). He says they are strong and the word of God abides in them (verse 14). Our victory over the world results from our relationship with God: "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). We place our trust in Christ who Himself has overcome the world, and will help us in our struggle: "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 ASV). We have tribulation in the world. This refers to afflictions and trials, which annoy and frustrate. But we need not be discouraged. Victory is assured through Christ. Following Christ's example, and by the strength that comes from Him, His followers are not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21). Victory through faith in Christ is also a prominent theme in the Revelation, which was written in a time of persecution. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome (Rev 5:5). This does not mean there will be no struggle. Victory only comes after battle! In Revelation 'overcoming' has the meaning in context of remaining faithful until death. But hear the great promises Christ gives those who overcome through faith in Him! "To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God" (Rev 2:7 ASV). "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev 2:11 ASV). "To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it" (Rev 2:17 ASV). "And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: and I will give him the morning star" (Rev 2:26-28 ASV). "He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Rev 3:5 ASV). "He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name" (Rev 3:12 ASV). "He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne" (Rev 3:21 ASV). "He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Rev 21:7 ASV). Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 5:1-7 1 John 5:1-7 In his epistle John weaves together three essentials by which the true Christian is recognized: belief in Christ, in His deity and humanity, the practice of genuine godly love, and heartfelt obedience to the Father's will. The Messiah's yoke is easy, and obedience to a loving Father is not irksome, as His will is 'good, acceptable and perfect'(Romans 12:2). The desire of our all-wise and all-loving Father is our highest good. In joy we seek to follow the will of the One who first loved us. Enjoying the new birth we are delivered out of this world of darkness where Satan rules, into the light of God's family an kingdom (Col. 1:13). Through the influence of His truth and His indwelling Spirit we can overcome the attractions and participate in His victory! This conquest continues as we walk in His light (1 John 1:7). Trusting, loving and obedient believers are God's children, born from above and, as they continue to follow their Savior's example, they too overcome this world. Belief, love and obedience weave the clothe we wear as we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ! J. Lee Roberts ------------------------------ 1 John 5:4-7 1 John 5:4-7 5:4 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith!"(OPV). It is plain here that we are witnessing the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 2:1-4 where he prophesied the coming of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. It was to be a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one. In it there would be no more need for carnal warfare but rather the warfare of the soul. In Eph 6:12, the apostle Paul noted: "For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world- rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]"(ASV). In John 18:36, Jesus answered Pilate: "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (ASV). No one understood Him but He was talking about the kingdom that would come in the power of the Holy Spirit some fifty-three days in the future through the establishment of the church on the day of Pentecost, the wonderful collection of all the precious souls who overcame sin through baptism into the body of the redeemed (Galatians 3:26-27; see also Acts 2:47). 5:5 "And who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the son of God?"(OPV). Indeed, the answer is self-evident, that those who overcome sin (through the washing of regeneration through the blood of Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5), are those who have obeyed from the heart and submitted their will to the will of God in baptism. Some pedobaptists argue that baptism is a work and that works cannot save a person. No, baptism is a demonstration of faith, for the writer of Hebrews states, "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him"(KJV). Obeying God is required of all men. Being baptized for the remission of sin is no more of a work than having someone pray for forgiveness. Both require effort on the part of the sinner. But, baptism is ordered by God and the prayer that our denominational friends try to impose to "qualify" someone for salvation is not ordered by God. Nowhere is it to be found as a prerequisite for salvation. See also Romans 2:6-7. 5:6 "He is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not in the water only, but in the water and in the blood"(OPV). It is as if Jesus realized that there would be latter- day detractors toward baptism. Here John makes special emphasis that Jesus Himself was baptized in accord with God's will at the beginning of His ministry under the Mosaic dispensation and later provided a lasting absolution from sin through the shedding of His blood. He was the unspotted lamb because He did no sin nor did He pollute His soul as we do today. Because of this, we now have the perfect sacrifice in Jesus Christ. This is why His blood can cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7). 5:7 "And it is the Spirit who is testifying, because the Spirit is the truth"(OPV). In Romans 8:16-17, Paul writes, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together."(KJV) The Holy Spirit seals us through our obedience to God in that we have done exactly what God, in His revealed word, requires. In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul writes, "In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory"(KJV). I believe that this promise, this earnest of our inheritance, is the "gift of the Holy Spirit" referred to in Acts 2:38 because Luke refers to the promise being made to both the Jew as well as the Gentile. He states that the promise was to "you (the Jews) and to those who were afar off (the Gentiles), even as many as the Lord, our God, shall call unto Him." Howard Justice