In The Right

The Right Faith (1 John 5:1-5)

How can we be sure that we are born of God? (v.1)

Believe that Jesus is the Christ born of God.

Is it important that John uses the word “that” after the word “believes” in verse one?

Yes, ‘that’ indicates a specific content, the correct belief in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Talk about other religions.

How can we be sure that we love the Father? (v.1)

If we love whoever is born of God, that is the children of God.

How can we be sure that we love the children of God? (v.2)

We love God and obey his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome (John 14:21).

What happens when we are born of God? (v.4)

We overcome the world!

How do we overcome the world? (v.4)

By our faith.

Who is it that has overcome the world? (v.4)

The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Why is verse 5 important?

It is a reiteration of v.1 in the form of a rhetorical question.

Summary

It is by faith that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

It is in faith that we love each other.

It is because of our faith that we love and obey God.

The Right Christ (1 John 5:6-12)

What is meant by ‘water and blood’? (v.6)

Water most likely refers to Jesus’ baptism which marks the beginning of his earthly ministry as the Messiah.

Blood most likely refers to Jesus’ atoning death on the cross marking the completion of the work the Father gave him to do.

Why do you think John reiterates ‘water and blood’ in the second part of verse 6?

He is most likely confronting a Gnostic heresy . The Gnostics believed that the “Christ spirit” descended on the man Jesus, and before Jesus’ suffering the “Christ spirit” departed. The Gnostics also believed that deities could not experience death or pain.

What is the Spirits’ testimony and why is this important? (vs.6-9)

The Spirit testifies that Jesus came by water and blood. The Spirit as the representative of the truth and the Godhead is testifying to the humanity of Jesus, and there is no greater testimony than that of God!

What should our testimony be? (v.11)

Jesus the Son of God became a human just like us and through his life and death he has provide us with eternal life.

Summary

A correct understanding of Christs’ humanity is imperative for true faith!

The Right Knowledge (1 John 5:13-21)

How do we know we have eternal life? (vs.1-13)

We must be born of God (God’s action).

We must believe that Jesus is the Christ (Our response).

We must believe that Jesus was a human like us, except without sin (Our belief).

We must believe that Jesus as the human Son of God, died on the cross to give us eternal life (Our faith).

We must love God and his children by obeying God’s commands (Our action).

What is the confidence that we have? (v.14)

If we know that we have eternal life, we can ask God for anything according to his will and he hears us.

According to this passage, what is one thing God wants us to ask? (v.16)

If we see a brother committing sin we should ask God to give him life.

Note: It doesn’t tell us to judge or talk about that brother.

What is the sin that leads to death (See Matthew 12:22-42)?

The sin that leads to death is most likely blasphemy against the Spirit, which according to Matthew is the only sin that is not forgiven.

What do you think blasphemy against the Spirit is according to the Matthew passage?

Most likely blasphemy against the Spirit is when someone intentionally attributes the works of God to the works of the evil one.

What does someone who is born of God NOT do? (v.18)

Keep on sinning | What do you think this means?

Why did the Son of man come? (v.20)

To give us understanding.

To reveal the Father to us.

How does John describe Jesus in verse 20?

The true God and eternal life.

It’s interesting that John also makes the deity of Jesus very clear as well!

Why did John end his letter the way he did?

Note: “keep” is an active imperative which implies a command!

In order for us to have a relationship with God, we must have an accurate understanding of who he is; fully God and fully man.