SONSHIP AND FAITH--1st JOHN, LESSON 5

1st JOHN 
LESSON 5

SONSHIP AND FAITH

Lesson: 1st JOHN 5:1-21

I. SONSHIP PROVED BY THE CONDUCT WE EXHIBIT. vs. 1-5

A. As Begotten Ones We Love the Brethren. vs. 1-3

1. Believing faith essential to the new birth. v. 1a; Acts 16:31.

2. Loving God and loving the brethren. v. 1b; John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

3. Loving God and keeping his commandments are essential to loving the brethren. v. 2; John 15:17, “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

a. This is not a distasteful burden, but a “delight,” Psalm 119:16, “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Psalm 119:24, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.”

b. This shows your love for the Lord, Psalm 119:97, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”

4. Love for God makes keeping His commandments not grievous. v. 3; Psalm 19:7-11:

a. The law of the LORD, v. 7.

b. The testimony of the LORD, v. 7.

c. The statutes of the LORD, v. 8.

d. The fear of the LORD, v. 9.

e. The judgments of the LORD, v. 9.

f. More to be desired are they than gold, v. 10.

g. By them is thy servant warned, v. 11.

B. As Believing Ones We Live Victoriously. vs. 4-5

1. Those born of God overcome the world. v. 4a. "Overcometh" is in the present linear tense, showing that this is a continual battle.

2. This victory comes by faith. v. 4b. All the great heroes of Hebrews 11 gained the victory by faith. They simply believed God.

a. "Victory" comes from the Greek word "nike." The Greek goddess of victory was called Nike. I believe we have a well-known brand of athletic shoes named Nike.

b. "Overcometh" in vs. 4 & 5 comes from the Greek word "Nikano," which means, "to carry off the victory, come off victorious." It especially refers to Christians that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, temptations, and persecutions.

c. Some variations of this word in the New Testament, which carry the idea of victory, are: Nicanor (Acts 6:5); Nicodemus (John 3:1); Nicolas (Acts 6:5); and Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).

3. Overcoming is dependent on a right belief in Christ. v. 5. John 16:33. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

a. Our victory is in Him, 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1) We are crucified with Him, Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

2) We are buried with Him, Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

3) We are raised with Him, Romans 6:4, see above.

b. This is why we are victorious, Psalm 98:1, “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.”

II. SONSHIP PROVED BY CREDENTIALS WE EXHIBIT. vs. 6-13

A. The Evidence of the Credentials. vs. 6-8

1. He came by water and blood. v. 6a

a. "Water" speaks of His baptism that inaugurated His ministry. Matthew 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

b. "Blood" speaks of His sacrificial death. John 19:34, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” This speaks of blood and water in reverse order.

2. The Spirit bears record as the Spirit of truth. v. 6b. Romans 8:15-16, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

3. The Holy Trinity bears record in heaven. v. 7. This verse has largely been removed from the new versions, but we accept it just as it is written in the KJV. John 16:13-14, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

4. For the 3 witnesses see v. 6 and above notes. v. 8

B. The Effect of the Credentials. vs. 9-13

Verses 9-13 furnish proof of a know-so, eternal salvation.

1. Men require a two or three-fold witness. v. 9a.

a. One witness is not acceptable, Deuteronomy 19:15, “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”

b. Two or three witnesses can establish the truth, Matthew 18:16, “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”

c. God, the Father establishes Jesus’ testimony, John 8:16-18, “And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.”

2. God has given a greater 3-fold witness v. 9b

a. The Father's witness to the Son at His baptism. See Matthew 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

b. The witness of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

c. The witness of the Spirit by His resurrection. Romans 1:4, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

3. The internal witness to the believer. v. 10a.

a. His Spirit witnesses to our spirit, Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

b. Because we are sons of God, He has given us His Spirit, Galatians 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

4. The one who rejects the witness makes God a liar. v. 10b

a. His word is not in us, 1 John 1:10, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

b. That person does not believe the record of God, John 5:38, “And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.”

5. The intent of this witness is that we have eternal life. v. 11.

a. Those who deny this do not believe the record of John the Baptist, John 3:34, “And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.”

b. The record is that life eternal is in HIS SON, v. 11; John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

6. The difference the Son makes. v. 12; John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

7. There must be confidence in the knowledge of eternal life as a present possession. v. 13.

a. The reason for the writings, John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

b. We can KNOW that we have eternal life, 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

c. It is not guess work nor hope, but a know-so salvation, 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

III. SONSHIP PROVED BY CONFIDENCE WE EXHIBIT. vs. 14-21

A. Confidence in Prayer. vs. 14-17

1. Praying in His will assures us of confidence in His answer. v. 14. There are conditions to getting our prayers answered.

a. We must ask according to His will. v. 14

b. Our family life (husband and wife) must be right. I Peter 3:7, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

c. Problems with other Christians must be settled. Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

d. We must abide in Christ in love and obedience. John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

2. Confidence in the petitions being granted. v. 15 Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”

a. Note the prayer life of Jesus, and the example it sets for us.

1) Early in the day “in a solitary place,” Mark 1:35, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”

2) Continued to get the answer, Luke 6:12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

3) Determined prayer, Hebrews 5:7, “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.”

3. The actions of others may limit our prayers. v. 16. The sin unto death is sin by a believer to the extent that God takes his life, but his soul is saved. It is a dangerous thing to play with sin, and the consequences can be serious.

a. These indulged in willful sin and suffered judgment.

1) Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 10:1-7.

2) Ananias and Sapphira lied to God about their giving. Acts 5:1-11

b. God chastises those Christians that sin, and if they do not repent, He may choose to take their lives. 1 John 5:16

4. All unrighteousness is sin. v. 17

B. Confidence in Knowledge. vs. 18-21

1. "We know" that those born of God are eternally secure. v. 18

a. This verse does not contradict v. 16 and 17, nor does it contradict 1:8 and 2:1.

b. It should be understood in the light of 3:9. See notes on that verse.

c. We know that Satan cannot touch the child of God without God's permission. Job 1:12, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” Luke 22:31-32, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

d. In temptation God will give us strength to overcome. I Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I John 2:13-14.

e. God has given us our armor, including the sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

2. "We know" that we are of God. v. 19. We should stand in awe and wonder of such knowledge.

3. "We know" that He has come and has given us understanding. v. 20.

a. Jesus is the true God, v. 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.”

b. The true light, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

c. The true bread, John 6:32, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.”

d. The true vine, John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.”

e. And the truth, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Anything else is a cheap copy. He is the real thing.

4. We know we should keep ourselves from idols. v. 21.

a. An idol is anything that usurps God's place in one's life. Psalm 115:4-7, “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 6They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: 7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.”

b. An idol worshipper is like his idol, Psalm 115:7, “They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.”