Prayer: God, the almighty and eternal Creator, we ask you to strengthen our faith and trust in You. We believe, help our unbelief (Mark 9:24). Intensify our faith, Oh God! Our overwhelming desire is to believe without doubt and serve without complaint. Speak to us, Oh God, in a well-defined voice so that we will understand your perfect will for our lives. Amen.
Main Scripture:
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: The Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son (1 John 5:6-9).
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13-14).
Associated Scriptures:
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." “How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:3-6).
But coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out (John 19:33-34).
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Correlative Quotes:
Confirming, by a triumphant question defying all contradiction, as an undeniable fact, 1John 5:4, that the victory which overcomes the world is faith. For it is by believing: that we are made one with Jesus the Son of God, so that we partake of His victory over the world and have dwelling in us One greater than he who is in the world (1John 4:4). "Survey the whole world, and show me even one of whom it can be affirmed with truth that he overcomes the world, who is not a Christian, and endowed with this faith"[1] – Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
The faith that Jesus is the Son of God lies at the very heart of everything Jesus Christ that historic Personage, has been in this world. No one can successfully deny that fact. But who is He? That is the question. Our faith, the Christian faith, is that He is the Son of God.[2] – F. B. Hole
Upon all this evidence, and these witnesses, it is but just and meet that there should be those who believe on the name of the Son of God. God increase their number! How much testimony from heaven has the world to answer for! Upon all this evidence, and these witnesses, it is but just and meet that there should be those who believe on the name of the Son of God.[3] – Matthew Henry
Study:
Faith is a gift from God it is not something that is developed on our own. However, the closer our relationship is to God and the more dependent we become on Him, the more faith God gives us. So, faith is related to endurance.
Growing faith is also a result of growing in love. Loving ourselves for what we have become in Christ, growing in love of others, and growing in our love for God are all elements of Spiritual growth. Many Christians do not realize what they have received with Jesus. They continue to be discouraged, react badly to trials and the accompanying suffering. They see the negative in every positive.
Loving ourselves because we are in Christ is an important step in the spiritual healing process. It is difficult to love others when we don’t even love ourselves. We must recognize that being a new creation in Christ is a reason to be positive about ourselves. That realization will help us to love ourselves. Loving ourselves will help us to love God in a deeper more rewarding way.
The presence of the Spirit of God in our lives finalizes the transformation process that brings us new life. The light of God living in us and through us to others is the ultimate evidence of His truth and the greatest reason for us to trust in Him. The light of God cannot live through you unless it lives in you.
Summary Statement:
John obviously felt that it is important for us to know the difference between the one who is saved and the one who is lost. He has written this entire letter to make that difference clear. Salvation is by grace through faith alone. However, the evidence of our faith is found in our actions. Actions speak louder than words. If we are not walking in the light of Christ, then our profession of faith means nothing.
Lesson within the Lesson:
John says, “This is the one who came by water and blood.” What does he mean by the water?
What is the significance of the shedding of blood?
How does the blood impact the unbeliever?
What part does the Holy Spirit play in our walk with God?
[1] Jamieson, Robert, D. D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David, "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible," Ibid, P. 3091.
[2] Frank Binford Hole, Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary, Ibid, P. 24.
[3] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (Unabridged), Volume VI, (Acts to Revelation), Ibid, P. 1576.
[4] John H. Yates, Faith is the Victory, Public Domain, library.timelesstruths.org/ music/Faith_Is_the_Victory/.
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