1 John 5

Welcome to The Safe Space! 1 John 5 — Audiobook Description Where we last left off in the Bible, John continues his message about love by revealing what it truly means to belong to God's family. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and those who love the Father will also love His children. Love for God's people is shown by loving God and obeying His commands—and His commands are not burdensome. John declares that those who are born of God can overcome the world. The victory that conquers the world is faith. And this victory rests on believing that Jesus is the Son of God. John then points to Jesus Christ as the One who came by water and blood—not by water alone, but by both. The Holy Spirit testifies to the truth because the Spirit is truth. There are three witnesses: the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and all three agree. If human testimony can be trusted, God's testimony is even greater. He has testified about His Son, and those who believe in the Son of God have this testimony living within them. Those who refuse to believe are effectively calling God a liar because they have rejected what He has testified about His Son. And what is that testimony? God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life. John writes so believers can know with certainty that they have eternal life. Because of this confidence, they can approach God boldly in prayer, knowing that He hears them when they ask according to His will. And when God hears, they can be assured that He will answer. John then addresses the seriousness of sin within the community. If a believer sees another believer committing a sin that does not lead to death, they should pray for that person, and God will give life. Yet there is also sin that leads to death, and John does not tell them to pray concerning that. He reminds them that every wrong action is sin, though not every sin leads to death. Finally, John closes with three powerful reminders. Those who belong to God do not make a practice of sin because God's Son protects them, and the evil one cannot gain control over them. They know they belong to God even though the whole world lies under the power of the evil one. And they know that the Son of God has come and given them understanding so they can know the true God. They are in Him who is true—His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Then John gives one final warning: keep yourselves from idols. Verse of the Day: 2 Peter 1:2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our LORD. Question of the Day: How can you grow in your knowledge of God?