1 John 5 - Introduction

ANALYSIS.

Reasoning further on the last idea in the former chapter, it must be plain to you, that in believing that Jesus is the Christ, you are thereby begotten of God, and in that case, if you love him that begat you, you will naturally and necessarily love all those likewise so begotten. This is an infallible rule by which to determine whether you are the children of God or not. Keeping his commandments will decide the question. God's requirements are not burdensome. Those born of God are thereby empowered to, and do, overcome the world, and this great success is dependent upon the correctness and the observance of the requirements of our faith. Our faith is embodied in the declaration that Jesus is God's Son. Of this proposition the Spirit bears witness bore witness by water when Jesus was baptized for it was when he was baptized that the Spirit descended upon him. The Spirit also bore witness by blood it bore witness by raising him from the dead after he had shed his blood and died. Whir the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit in heaven bear witness to the Messiahship of Jesus, there are three on earth that likewise bear the same testimony the Spirit, the water, and the blood. They are God's appointments to attest the fact of his Sonship. Men are willing to receive the testimony of men. Much more willing ought we to be in receiving the testimony God gives concerning his Son, and especially so, since by God's record we are assured of eternal life through his Son. John writes these things to the believers, that they might know that eternal life was theirs as an assured reward for accepting, trusting and following Christ. And, during the age of miracles, he then assures them that God will grant their request in miraculous cures when he is approached by petitions according to his will, calling their attention to the fact, that while all unrighteousness is sin, there is sin which is not unto death; that where there is a sin which is unto death, for that he does not advise prayer, assuring them that there is no danger of sinning so long as they observe God's will, and that, while so observing, the wicked one can not touch them. John lovingly and urgently entreats his children in the faith to keep themselves from idols, for in worshiping idols, even in the slightest particular, they subject themselves to the snares of the wicked one.