STUDIES IN FIRST, SECOND & THIRD JOHN

Lesson 17 I John 5:1-5 VICTORY IN JESUS

In these verses we will see a source of assurance, but also the answer to why there are so many doubtful, fearful and insecure professors of Christianity today.

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.

Who is saved? WHOSOEVER! - this takes us back to

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (This believing is the cause of being begotten)
THIS believing (our text) is the result of having been begotten.
A. This believing is not merely the convincing of the mind, but goes farther to the exercising of faith as illustrated in Hebrews, chapter 11.
B. That Jesus IS the Christ. Here is a specific act of faith. It's not enough to believe in a vague supreme being, nor even in an historical Christ, nor that someone in the past, did perhaps, embody in his human existence, some of the attributes of divinity. One must ACT upon the KNOWLEDGE that one Jesus of Nazareth was born of the virgin Mary, conceived of the Holy Spirit (was God incarnate), paid the penalty for sin, raised from the dead, and IS sitting at the right hand of God. This action must be in the form of repenting and accepting Him as a PERSONAL saviour; not just of the world.
C. There is a definite family relationship. God is the begetter and Christ AND we are the begotten ones.

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Heb 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
D. The converse:

John 15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

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

Love for the brethren is proof of salvation -

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. and obedience to God is proof of this love.
Illustration: Does one really love the brethren (and Christ) when he chooses to belittle the Church with his actions? Don't say "I love you , preacher, and then show contempt for the Church and the truths of God's word, for which Christ died, and I have given my life to serve.

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

This IS the love of God.

2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And His commandments are not grievous - (heavy)

Mat 11:29 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. There is something wrong when our 'service' to God becomes a burdensome weight. It should provide us with sustaining buoyancy and not depressing weight.

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

Whatsoever is born of God... This speaks of the Spirit

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
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.
Faith IS the Victory! The devil can't shake the child of God who knows by constant experience ( abiding in Him)
Instead of looking to the discoveries of science, archaeology, etc. for proof of the Bible, we should judge the accuracy of these discoveries by the statements of God's Word!

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

Who is the victor over the world? (back to the belief of verse 1) With the knowledge (as opposed to speculation) that Jesus IS the Son of God, NOTHING can move us from a victorious life of service, because: He IS on the throne and He is coming back again! When the present world order has passed into history, our present Lord will still be enthroned!

Next: Beyond a shadow of a doubt