Testimony of God

1 John 5:9-12 “If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”

만일 우리가 사람들의 증언을 받을진대 하나님의 증거는 더욱 크도다 하나님의 증거는 이것이니 그의 아들에 대하여 증언하신 것이니라

10 하나님의 아들을 믿는 자는 자기 안에 증거가 있고 하나님을 믿지 아니하는 자는 하나님을 거짓말하는 자로 만드나니 이는 하나님께서 그 아들에 대하여 증언하신 증거를 믿지 아니하였음이라

11 또 증거는 이것이니 하나님이 우리에게 영생을 주신 것과 이 생명이 그의 아들 안에 있는 그것이니라

12 아들이 있는 자에게는 생명이 있고 하나님의 아들이 없는 자에게는 생명이 없느니라

Outline

1. God has testified regarding His Son 1 John 5:9-10

2. All who believe in God's testimony has life 1 John 5:11-12

1. INTRODUCTION

2. BODY

a. God has testified regarding His Son (1 John 5:9-10)

i. The immediate context comes from verse 8 where John speaks about the testimony of Jesus Christ. John mentioned that the Spirit testified Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Then John starts in verse 9 by stating that if we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater.

ii. This seems to be speaking of the testimony of John the Baptist. John makes it clear in John 1:34 that that the one to whom the Spirit descends is the Son of God. This is the testimony that man has stated. The same testimony comes in Mark 8:27-29 where Jesus asks His disciples, who do people say that I am? Then He asks His disciples who do you say I am? This is where Peter responds by stating “You are the Christ.”

iii. This section connects directly with John 5:33-38. Jesus speaks of John the Baptist and how he testified of the truth. Jesus continues to say that John was testifying the truth, but the testimony which Jesus has is greater than the testimony of John.

John 5:33-38 ““You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. “But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. “He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. “But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. “And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. “You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.”

성경전서 개역개정판 5장

너희가 요한에게 사람을 보내매 요한이 진리에 대하여 증언하였느니라

34 그러나 나는 사람에게서 증언을 취하지 아니하노라 다만 이 말을 하는 것은 너희로 구원을 받게 하려 함이니라

35 요한은 켜서 비추이는 등불이라 너희가 한때 그 빛에 즐거이 있기를 원하였거니와

36 내게는 요한의 증거보다 더 큰 증거가 있으니 아버지께서 내게 주사 이루게 하시는 역사 곧 내가 하는 그 역사가 아버지께서 나를 보내신 것을 나를 위하여 증언하는 것이요

37 또한 나를 보내신 아버지께서 친히 나를 위하여 증언하셨느니라 너희는 아무 때에도 그 음성을 듣지 못하였고 그 형상을 보지 못하였으며

38 그 말씀이 너희 속에 거하지 아니하니 이는 그가 보내신 이를 믿지 아니함이라

iv. Jesus then says that the testimony that Jesus brings is greater than the testimony of John. We know this to be true because it is not merely the words of men, but the words of God. As stated in verse 7-8, the three testify and agree with each other. So the question is then what is the testimony of God? John follows that logic by stating the testimony of God. God’s testimony is about His son.

v. Verse 10 continues by saying, the one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. The one who believes that Jesus is the Christ believes the Spirit that resides in himself that confirms the truth. The one who doesn’t believe in the testimony regarding His son calls God a liar, but also that His Spirit is not in them because they have not received the testimony concerning His son.

vi. John gives a simple proof to know whether someone is truly a child of God or not. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, then you are a child of God. If you don’t believe that Jesus is the Christ, then you are not a child of God.

vii. Why is this truth significant? I was thinking of this question because this is a statement that all Christians know. So what’s the significance? The bible here says that we receive the testimony of men, but the testimony of God is greater. The question is, do we truly believe that His testimony regarding His son is great? Is it a testimony that bears weight in my life?

viii. Due to the circumstances that have happened, I now look back and understand why God allowed these things to happen. We must always remember what the difference between a test and a temptation(유혹) is. The difference is not visible until the result. A test will always draw us closer to God and a temptation is always cause us to turn away from God.

ix. As I was studying this text, I realize why these things happened. Why would God do these things? Because God is good. How is He good? Because through these events, it caused me to think more deeply about what I believe in. A verse that comes to mind is Ecclesiastes 7:3. This verse reminds us that sorrow is better than laughter because although we are sad, our heart can be happy. What does this mean? Through sorrow, we can find to be joyful despite the circumstances. Solomon follows this logic in Ecclesiastes 7:13, “For who is able to straighten, what He has bent?” This is a wonderful verse because it shows us that God is the only one who can straighten what He has brought about. Only He can bring about true joy through every circumstance.

Ecclesiastes 7:3 “Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.”

성경전서 개역개정판 (7장)

3. 슬픔이 웃음보다 나음은 얼굴에 근심하는 것이 마음에 유익하기 때문이니라

Ecclesiastes 7:13 “Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent?”

성경전서 개역개정판 (7장)

13. 하나님께서 행하시는 일을 보라 하나님께서 굽게 하신 것을 누가 능히 곧게 하겠느냐

x. Through these events, it has stirred in me a greater love for Christ. I’ve learned from these events that all suffering and hardship must be seen through my love for Christ. Do I choose to love Jesus more than myself? Do I believe in my own statements versus what God has testified? Am I looking for my own comfort or seeking to obey and trust in God? I’ve realized through these verses, that this is the greatest lesson we can all learn. God is teaching us, teaching me, that His testimony is the most important. Knowing who Christ is, knowing what He has done, is the single most important lesson in my life. I’ve come to realize this was the lesson that God cemented into my mind through these events.

b. All who believe in God's testimony has life (1 John 5:11-12)

i. John starts verse 11 with God’s testimony. Up to now, John stated that God testified concerning His son. Finally, John states what this testimony is about. John states that the testimony is this. It is that God has given us eternal life and this eternal life is in His son.

ii. There are two things regarding this testimony. First, God’s testimony is that eternal life is a gift from Him. It is not something earned, a wage. By this John is reminding his readers that they possess eternal life, freely given them by God. Thus he is not calling upon them to receive that life. Rather, he is reminding them that they have already received it. He is also reminding them of that life’s source—God.

iii. The second part of God’s testimony is that eternal life is found in His Son. This takes us back to the prologue wherein eternal life is found to be a person, Jesus, and not a possession. No lost person can receive it apart from believing in His Son. No saved person can enjoy it apart from believing in His Son. It is only through Jesus that one anyone can enjoy everlasting life.

iv. John continues on in verse 12 by saying that those who have the son has life and those who don’t have the son doesn’t have life. This life is not to be enjoyed by everyone, however. This life is in Christ. Consequently, it is as impossible to have life without having Christ as it is impossible to have Christ without at the same time possessing eternal life.

v. This is a refreshing statement because it helps us understand the blessings we have received in Christ to believe. At the same time, this verse reminds us that those who choose not to believe will not enjoy these blessings. This is the age long question every believer asks themselves in regards to their salvation. Why would God choose me to believe?

vi. I have been thinking about this question recently more often in light of the war in Ukraine and even the events that have gone in my life. Hardship is always a reminder that God uses us to cause us to think. And the more I think about it, I am thankful to God for allowing me to realize how great this blessing that God has given me.

vii. These verses really brought me a lot of joy this week. I’ve been listening to sermons and reading my Bible and every time I was reminded of this truth, it brought me great joy to know that God has given us eternal life through Jesus. And all those who believe in Jesus, have received this eternal life. All last week, I was asking God why He allowed these things to happen and this week, He gave me the answer. He answered my question by reminding me to find my joy in Christ, not in my life.

viii. The question I would like to ask you is, how has believing in Christ changed your life? Has it changed your life? If it hasn’t changed your life, think why it hasn’t. If it has changed your life, take time to be thankful. Life is short. The Bible constantly reminds us that our lives are short. Let’s live our lives to be thankful to God for His salvation, rather than complain about all the things we don’t have. Look to Jesus, find your joy in Him.

3. CONCLUSION