1John 5

Love God

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Many claim to be Christians, some even say he is the Son of God as did a man in our Internet chatroom. Yet, when we asked what Jesus was to him, it was an entirely different story. Some repeat things they have heard, perhaps from attending church as a child. But what is the heart belief? Do they love him? Many claim to know Jesus, but do not love or serve him. Salvation is more then a casual knowledge of Jesus. Let's look at what Paul wrote in Romans 10.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

We must believe in our heart, then we receive the Holy Spirit and God's love flows to us, we love God and his family. We are in the family of love and joy.

1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

We believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Christ and has risen from the grave. We obey him from hearts of love and keep his commandments; we love others.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We give ourselves as his servants, knowing his will by reading his word. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Our life will show his love and our actions will glorify God so that all will see we belong to Jesus. We are not our own, we are obedient through the Holy Spirit in loving service to God. Loving someone who others ignore is loving and serving Christ. God will transform all who receive him into the kingdom of light and love.

Water and Blood

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisee, Nicodemus about the need to be born again of the Spirit of God.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

As John mentioned earlier, we overcome the world because Christ overcame Satan and death. The Spirit within is the power to overcome the world.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

We have the victory through faith in Jesus. Faith is not only for receiving Jesus, but it is a commitment and a new way of life in the Spirit of God.

1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

The overcomer believes in his heart that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

In John 3:5, Jesus speaks of water as the natural birth and born of the spirit as being born again of the spirit of God.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

What is John referring to when he said Jesus came by water and blood? There was a sect of believers who were the Gnostics, who believed that Jesus was a ghost and that he did not come in the flesh. Some of the New Age believers refer to Jesus only as a spirit.

Jesus was flesh and blood. Born of woman, of water and shed his blood on the cross for our sins. Some believe the water refers to baptism in water and the blood the atonement for sins. Jesus was flesh and blood and eternally Holy in Spirit, existing as spirit with God before the worlds were created. Because of this we are overcomers who have been received by him through faith.

With Jesus comes the promise of the Holy Spirit of truth. The spirit bears witness to the word. The word of truth is greater then the name of God.

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

In our witnessing we will come in contact with a great many false beliefs. We must know the truth of the word and witness with the spirit of truth.If we love others, we will share Jesus with them, even if they become angry at our efforts. They will treat you as they treated Jesus, some will receive, most will not. But we have overcome the world and have come out of it's corruption, we are not men pleasers but rather, we seek to glorify God.

The Witnesses

1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

This verse was not in the earliest manuscripts. Yet is it not true? There are three in heaven, God in three persons, The triune God, the trinity, three that make the one God. The Father, The Son, Jesus is the word, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit). In the Internet chats are Pentecostal Apostalics that believe in Jesus only. Other sects, say it is only Jehovah God. The witness in heaven is of the Three that are the one God. God is a plural name. "Let us make man in our image,..."

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

When I think of the record in heaven I think of the book of life.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

1 John 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

The Holy Spirit witnesses in the heart of the child of God. Another witness is the water of the word and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. All three are in Jesus, who has come as a witness to the world of God's grace. We are abiding in the word, covered by his blood and filled with his spirit. We are adopted children of God through faith in our Lord Jesus. We witness the word of life, the gospel message of his shed blood and resurrection through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Life in the Son

1 John 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

Jesus removes our sins and we are children of God through faith in his witness. God has given us the witness of the death, burial and resurrection of his son.

John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

We do not receive the witness of men, who witness another faith or the wisdom of man. This is not founded on the rock which is Jesus, the Christ. We have the witness within, of the word of truth and the Spirit of truth. If we do not believe God's witness, we are calling God a liar.Do you really want to call God a liar? Perhaps some consider themselves their own god, even so, God will judge according to His word, take heed.

1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

It couldn't be clearer. He that hath the Son, hath life. This eternal life is in God's eternal Son, The Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

This is written by John, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. John an eyewitness to the life and work of Jesus. A witness to the death and resurrection of our Lord. John, the apostle who Jesus loved and to whom he gave the care of his mother Mary. John the faithful and trusted disciple. Believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye might have eternal life. Believe on Jesus, the name above all names.

Ask in Faith

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1 John 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Here is a promise for you, God will give you whatsoever you ask of him. But, there is a condition, do you see it? Most of God's promises have a condition to meet. If we ask in his will he will hear us and we will receive our request.

Prayer is important, the Lord said many times that we should pray, lets see some of these prayer promises and see if there are conditions given.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

This prayer is for those who have treated us bad, this is a command, just obey and then we will be as our heavenly Father. What if we just are angry, or try to get even? Then we are disobeying, we are not giving God glory. The anger could give a place for satan to torment us. Isn't our Father wise?

Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

The condition is to pray in secret, not for show, he knows what you need before you ask. That is so awesome.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

If God will take care of us, why pray?

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Pray in faith, and you will receive. How do we know we are in faith?

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We receive what we pray for if we know the word and it is promised to us. If in doubt, don't ask.

Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

If you are not in sin, then ask.

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Thank you Father for your word and your Spirit. Help us to ask in faith for our requests. We know that you hear our requests and we will receive from your loving hand. We give you glory father for meeting our needs. Lord provide our needs for you know better then we what we really need, amen.

Sin Unto Death

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

What is the sin unto death? Is it not rejecting Jesus as Lord and going out into the world? Where is the proof? I think you will know through the Spirit's witness if someone is not of God. Note, that John is speaking of a brother, a professing believer.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

I was one who for a time fell away, don't be too swift to abandon someone who has fallen away. It may be that a great trial or sorrow has come upon the person. If this is the case we should be with them and seeking restoration.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

The unrighteous can only sin. Even if they pretend for a time to be made new.

2 Pet 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2 Pet 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2 Pet 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

If we are born of God, we may sin occasionally, but we sinneth not. We do not continuously sin. We are commanded to keep ourselves from sin. Then the wicked one cannot touch us. He can only bother us through unconfessed sins, and his lies.

We are of God

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

We know we are of God, the world will accuse us, mock us, persecute us, yet we belong to God and will overcome the world. Dear friends, continue to be the light of God and others will be drawn to Jesus and be saved.

Phil 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, (destruction) but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Jesus is come! He has given us his Spirit of truth and we dwell in God and he in us through his Spirit. There is one true God, this is he that is good and true, all knowing and in all places; in him and through His Son Jesus, we have eternal life.

1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

How does John close his excellent letter of God's love and our relationship with God's family? He speaks a simple command, keep yourself from idols. Idols of wealth, power, lust, entertainment, work or play. Anything that would separate us from our God and each other. Let us remember God's foremost commandments;

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

I love you Father and I love you, brothers and sisters in our Father's family. We are eternally saved and in His love, Praise Him!

Table of Contents

1John 1
1John 2
1John 3
1John 4
1John 5
Eaglewings Bible Commentaries
Eaglewings Topical Studies
Eaglewings Testimonies and Inspiration