Dig In:
Passage: 1 John 5
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-5 - This final chapter of John's first letter begins by remind you that you can know for certain that you are 'born of God (v1)' because you believe and trust in Jesus. Because you're born of God, you can overcome the world. This means you've been given the strength to overcome temptations and keep God's commands. As our society becomes more comfortable with sinful lifestyles, we're often told that most loving thing we can do is accept people for who they are. John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us differently. The best way to love the children of God is by loving God and keeping His commands (v2).
v6-12 - Although there are several theories about what John means by the "three things that testify (v7-8),' all of the interpretations remind us that by believing God's testimony about Jesus, you can have eternal life through Jesus. See last year's DIG DEEPER post for more on this tricky passage.
v13-20 - John makes several massive claims in this closing section: v13 - You can know that you have eternal life; v14 - When your life is aligned with God, he will hear whatever you ask for; v19 - You can know that you're a child of God; v20 - You can know that the Son of God has come and that you are "in Him who is true;" v20 - Jesus is "the true God and eternal life."
v21 - The final line of John's letter seems anticlimactic: Keep yourself from idols. But read it in the context of John's stated purpose in writing to you: so that you may know that you have eternal life. John closes by reminding you that since you know that you're a child of God, don't settle for pursue the emptiness the world tries to seduce you with.
Old Testament Reference -
John writes in v3 that God's commands are not burdensome, and that they lead to abundant life. He echos what Moses wrote to Israel as he came to the end of his life in Deuteronomy 30:11-20.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions. For every comment or reply you post, you will receive an entry for this month's prize: a gift certificate to Seed & Stem 12:27
How would you use this chapter to help a friend who doubted he was a real Christian?
After reading this chapter, why is it impossible for a Christian to knowingly and unrepentantly continue living sinfully?
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father God, who has given us eternal life in His Son (v11)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that the things you pray for would be aligned with God's will, knowing that God will grant all requests that align with His will (v14-15)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
