Know that You are Born from Above

Introduction

John writes so that “our” (Children of God/Those Born from Above) joy may be complete through unity in belief/faith, obedience, and love.

Break up into groups of 2-3 and talk with each other about your born again experience. The moment before you actually believed.

Three Tests of evidence that you are Born of God (1 John 5:1-5)

Obedience 1 Jo. 2:3-6, 2:28-3:10.

Love 1 Jo. 2:7-11, 2:11-18, 4:7-12.

Belief 1 Jo. 2:11-18, 4:1-6.

Combination of Three Tests

John in Chapter 5 combines all three tests that show that someone is a child of God.

The New Birth is what happens before belief, obedience, or love.

The one who believes that Jesus is the Son if God has ALREADY been born of God.

The three results of the New Birth are Belief, Obedience, Love.

God makes it possible for us to act like his children.

The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary c. A Combination of the Three Tests (5:1–5)

The new birth is a supernatural event which takes us out of the sphere of the world, where Satan rules, into the family of God. We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13). The spell of the old life has been broken. The fascination of the world has lost its appeal.

The world and its power, and lusts that seek keep us from belief, obedience, and love have been overcome by our faith. Namely, the New Birth that results in obedience to God’s commands.

The Three that Testify

Water and Blood. Referring to historical events.

Water is Jesus’ baptism.

Blood is Jesus’ crucifixion.

Spirit testifies inwardly that Jesus is the Son of God.

Water and the Blood are objective realities that were witnessed and recorded in history.

The Spirit is a subjective reality that happens when one is born again, and his eyes are opened to the truth that Jesus is the Son if God.

Purpose and Prayer

That you may know that you may know that you have have eternal life (1 Jn. 5:13).

If you have the Son you have eternal life

John 20:30-31.

We know that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us and will answer us.

Keep yourself from Idols

Whether they are physical or mental idols, we must keep ourselves from them.

Don’t let idols or self-conceived gods steal your joy of being sons and daughters of God because you trust in something other than the one true God.