Category: I John

^“9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.¹⁰ Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.” (I John 5:9-10)

John sets forth in I John 5:6-12 six evidences that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The first three evidences are the Spirit, the water and the blood.

As we have often noted in reading the Scriptures observantly, words which are repeated occur so for emphasis. This is certainly the case in today’s text with the word testimony.

Testimony (μαρτυρίαν; martyrian) is a derivative of the familiar word testify, which we observed in I John 5:6-8. A testimony may refer to the content of a witness to an event or crime. It may also refer to the reputation of the witness. One’s verbal testimony may be contingent upon one’s behavior and reputation.

John argues that the verbal testimony and reputation of men pale in comparison to God. In other words, God’s testimony is greater than man’s in source, status and significance. It is a more reliable testimony because God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18).

Therefore, John alleges that whoever does not trust in, commit to, depend upon and honor and worship Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is in effect calling God a liar. This is the individual who does not believe what the Bible says about sin and salvation.

One commentator writes that “To reject Jesus as God’s Son is equivalent to charging God with perjury. It is that simple and John is that straightforward.” In other words, we cannot have belief in God if at the same time we do not have faith in Christ.

John Calvin writes, “God deserves to be believed much more than men. We can have no faith in God, except by believing in Christ, because God sets Him alone before us and makes us to stand in Him.”

How many times have people responded to your question of whether they have faith in Christ with the statement, “I believe in God.” John is saying that if you do not believe in Christ, you really do not believe in God.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

^6 “This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.” (I John 5:6-8)

Thus far, John’s epistle has been pretty straightforward. However, I have to confess that at first glance, I John 5:6-8 is a bit obscure in its meaning? What exactly is the apostle writing about when he refers to the water, blood and the Spirit?”

John sets forth in I John 5:6-12 six evidences that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The first three evidences are the Spirit, the water and the blood.

To begin with, we have the witness of Jesus’ baptism. The word “water” (ὕδατος; hydatos) occurs four times in vs. 6-8. These four occurrences strongly indicate that John had the baptism of Jesus in mind.

The second witness is the blood. John uses this word three times. This particular word for blood in the Greek is αἷμα (haima). It can mean the blood of man or animals which refers to the seat of life.

The third witness is the Spirit. Each time the word Spirit is used in today’s text it is capitalized. This leads to the conclusion that the Apostle John is referring to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead.

John says the Spirit testifies or declares truth. John then gives us the reason why the Spirit testifies or declares truth: it is because the Spirit is the truth. The word truth (ἀλήθεια; aletheia) refers to that which actually happened or which is real.

John 15:26 says, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “John no longer stresses apostolic testimony (1:1–4; 4:14) but writes of the testimony of God that comes through the Holy Spirit. Since the Spirit of God cannot lie, his testimony is sure. At the baptism of Jesus, the Father and the Spirit testified to the Son (see Matt. 3:16–17). The death of Jesus Christ also witnessed to who he was (Matt. 27:54; Heb. 9:14). The Holy Spirit testified throughout Jesus’ life as to his identity (Mark 1:12; Luke 1:35; Acts 10:38).”  

As the arrow of a compass always points north, the Holy Spirit always points to Jesus. You may be sure that if a religious leader, or even a pastor, directs your attention to anyone other than Jesus Christ, this individual has the spirit of antichrist.

Take note of the religious leaders or programs you watch or of which you listen. What is their emphasis? Is it upon themselves or is it upon the person and work of Jesus Christ?

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

^6 “This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.” (I John 5:6-8)

Thus far, John’s epistle has been pretty straightforward. However, I have to confess that at first glance, I John 5:6-8 is a bit obscure in its meaning? What exactly is the apostle writing about when he refers to the water, blood and the Spirit?”

John sets forth in I John 5:6-12 six evidences that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The first three evidences are the Spirit, the water and the blood.

To begin with, we have the witness of Jesus’ baptism. The word “water” (ὕδατος; hydatos) occurs four times in vs. 6-8. These four occurrences strongly indicate that John had the baptism of Jesus in mind.

The second witness is the blood. John uses this word three times. This particular word for blood in the Greek is αἷμα (haima). It can mean the blood of man or animals which refers to the seat of life.

However, in the context of today’s text, the word blood refers to the shedding of blood by violence. In other words, John’s reference to the testimony of blood refers to a slaying or murder. With respect to Jesus, the word blood refers to His crucifixion which provided a substitutionary atonement for sinners.

I Corinthians 2:1-2 says, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. ² For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” The focal point of the Apostle Paul’s teaching, preaching and ministry was the cross of Christ.

Dr. R. C. Sproul says that, “Paul was saying that in all of his teaching, in all of his preaching, in all of his missionary activity, the central point of importance was the cross. In effect, this teacher was saying to his students that you might forget other things that I teach you, but don’t ever forget the cross because it was on the cross, through the cross, and by the cross that our Savior performed His work of redemption and gathered His people for eternity.”

How did God testify that Jesus was the Son of God with the shedding of His blood on the cross? There are several which the Gospels record. All of these evidences were unique events which occurred immediately during and after the crucifixion.

First, there was the darkness across the land from noon until 3:00 p.m. (Matthew 27:45). Second, the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). Third, there was an earthquake (Matthew 27:51). Fourth, God resurrected many Old Testament as an indication of the resurrection of life for all who trust in Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:52-53). There was even the testimony from the Roman Centurion that Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 15:39).

One commentator concludes that, “The cross says the King of Heaven has come down, and that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is the true and biblical witness of our Lord’s crucifixion.”

Next time, we will study the witness of the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!    

 

 

^6 “This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.” (I John 5:6-8)

Thus far, John’s epistle has been pretty straightforward. However, I have to confess that at first glance, I John 5:6-8 is a bit obscure in its meaning? What exactly is the apostle writing about when he refers to the water, blood and the Spirit?”

John sets forth in I John 5:6-12 six evidences that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The first three evidences are the Spirit, the water and the blood.

This takes us back to I John 4:1-6 with respect to testing the spirits to see if they are from God. John indicated in I John 4:2-3 that “² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”

One commentator to today’s text explains that, “Christians can be certain that Jesus is God’s Son because God has provided several witnesses that testify to His divine nature, giving hope and assurance to God’s children.”

A key word contained in these verses is the word testify. It comes from the Greek Word μαρτυροῦν (martyroun) meaning to witness or to provide information about a person or an event. Both times when John uses the word it is in the present active format meaning that the witnesses regarding the identity of Jesus Christ is continual and never ending.

It is interesting to note that the Old Testament Law required “the evidence of two or three witnesses” to establish the truth of a particular matter (Deut. 17:6; 19:15; cf. John 8:17–18; 1 Tim. 5:19). The Apostle John will ultimately provide six.

To begin with, we have the witness of Jesus’ baptism. The word “water” (ὕδατος; hydatos) occurs four times in vs. 6-8. These four occurrences strongly indicate that John had the baptism of Jesus in mind.

The account of the Baptism of Jesus is found in all four gospels (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23; John 1:29-34). It is that moment that Jesus was anointed for His three year public ministry.

Matthew 3:16-17 says, “¹⁶ And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

The declaration attributed to God the Father is taken not only from Psalm 2:7 but also from Isaiah 42:1. The test reveals that Jesus Christ is truly the anointed Messiah and Servant of Yahweh who is King of kings. However, He would be a servant King who would suffer on behalf of sinners while on the cross.

When Jesus was baptized, He was identifying with the sinners He came to save. God the Father’s announcement in effect announces that Jesus was not just a mere man but also God in the flesh. As recorded in John 1:29, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

When next we meet, we will examine the witness of Jesus’ crucifixion that He is the Son of God.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

⁴ For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (I John 5:4-5)

 What does it mean when the Apostle John says that those who have born of God have overcome the world? He uses the phrase “overcomes the world” three times in today’s text. Therefore, by the reality of such repetition, the Holy Spirit places great importance upon this truth.

In all three occurrences, the word “overcomes” is from the Greek word νικάω (nikao). In each instance it means to conquer, prevail, to be a victor, or to be victorious.

What is it that the believer in Christ, or those who have been born of God, have  overcome? John’s answer in each occurrence is the world.

The word world (κόσμος; kosmos) specifically refers to the fallen world systems of thought and behavior which is anti-God and rebellious towards God’s commandments. It is this meaning which we first studied in I John 2:15-17 which says, “¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life^[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

And what is it that gives the believer in Christ the victory over the world as a victor? Is the individual believers’ faith. The victory over the world is through one’s trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and worship of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This is what John says in I John 5:5.

Dr. John MacArthur writes concerning the world that it is, “Satan’s worldwide system of deception and wickedness. Through Christ and his provision of salvation, the believer is a victor (5:5) over the invisible system of demonic and human evil that Satan operates to capture men’s souls for hell. John repeats the reference to overcoming the world three times—to press it home. Faith in Jesus Christ and dedication of one’s life to him make one an overcomer. John repeats the truth for emphasis.”

When did Christ deliver you from the dominion of the world and make you an overcomer? Who do you know that is still under the domination of the world and needs for God to deliver them from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin? Pray for those individuals today and thank the Lord that you are no longer like them.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

^“2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (I John 5:2-3)

Loving God, obeying and keeping His commandments is central to the Apostle’s John’s theology. In fact, John repeats this phrase in these two verses.

To obey (ποιῶμεν; poiomen) means to practice and to perform. Believers are to presently and actively practice and perform God’s commandments in their daily lives.

To keep (τηρῶμεν; teromen) also means to obey. However, to keep carries the idea of guarding. Within this context, the believer in Christ is to presently and actively guard God’s commandments in their life.

To obey God’s commandments is an evidence that we love not only God but also the children of God. Additionally, the love we have from God is further realized when we guard His commandments.

John additionally states that God’s commandments are not burdensome (βαρεῖαι; bareiai). For something to be burdensome means that it is difficult, hard and severe. God’s commandments are not so.

Dr. John Walvoord says, “Thus the apostle, by this series of statements, reduces love for God and one’s fellow Christians to its fundamental character. A person who obeys God’s commands is doing what is right, both toward God and toward his fellow believers and is thus loving both God and them. But it must be remembered that this includes the willingness to sacrifice for one’s brother (cf. 3:16–17).”

John repeats this fundamental truth because it is so often forgotten. Let us resolve to commit to obeying and keeping God’s commandments.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” (I John 5:1-2)

One of the ways to accurately study, interpret, teach the Bible is by reading observantly. Believers in Christ must observe the genre of literature they are reading, the figures of speech such as similes and metaphors, along with any cause and effect statements.

The Epistle of I John contains many cause and effect statements. Today’s text is one example. I John 5:1-2 contains three cause and effect statements declaring God’s truth.

First, the Apostle John writes that, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.” We know that according to John 3:1-3, the ability to believe originates from a prior work by the Holy Spirit called regeneration. In fact, regeneration precedes faith. This is what John is saying. The person who trusts in, commits to, depends upon and honors and worships Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord has been born of God. The ability to believe is preceded by the new birth.

Second, John says that, “Everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.” The believer’s love for God the Father will have a resulting love for others who also have been born of God. Our love for God results in our love for other believers.

Finally, the apostle writes, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” Loving God and obeying His commandments results in a knowledge and understanding that we truly love the people of God.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “The object of the believer’s faith is Jesus, particularly that he is the promised Messiah or “Anointed One” whom God sent to be the Savior from sin. Whoever places faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior has been born again and, as a result, is an overcomer (v. 5). This is a reference to the new birth and is the same word that Jesus used in John 3:7. The tense of the Greek verb indicates that ongoing faith is the result of the new birth and, therefore, the evidence of the new birth. The sons of God will manifest the reality that they have been born again by continuing to believe in God’s Son, the Savior. The new birth brings us into a permanent faith relationship with God and Christ.”

Faith, love and obedience form a trilogy which describes the believer in Christ as an overcomer. Faith, love and obedience mutually exist. The genuine proof of love is obedience. The genuine proof of faith is love. (cf. John 8:31–32; 14:15, 21; 15:10).

May each of us who are believers in Christ resolve today to be people of faith, love and obedience.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!  

 

 

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us. ²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. ²¹ And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (I John 4:19-21)

The Apostle John reminds us of one of the fundamental truths from God’s Word. That truth is that believers in Christ love one another, and even those who do not belong to Christ, because God first loved them (I John 4:7-11).

The apostle’s conclusion should cause believers to pause and give consideration. John says, “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar.” What is this individual in question lying about? The obvious answer is their claim that they love God. A person cannot truly love God in a present and active self-sacrificial way if at the same time they are continually hating and detesting their fellow Christian.

John’s conclusion is that this individual is a liar. They are someone who utters and speaks falsehoods. The falsehood in question is their claim that they love God.

The apostle’s reasoning is given in the latter portion of I John 4:20 which says, “For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

As one commentator writes, “Anyone who claims to love God, yet hates his brother makes a false claim: he is a liar. John often pointed up false claims by using the word “liar”: 1:10; 2:4, 22; 4:20; 5:10 (cf. “lie” in 1:6). Love for the unseen God (cf. 4:12) can only be concretely expressed by love for one’s visible Christian brother. Furthermore, God’s command (v. 21; cf. 2:3; 3:23–24; 5:3) has joined together the two kinds of love—love for God and love for one’s brother.”

John’s conclusion is clear: “And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” This command to love is from God. It is not human in origin. Therefore, it must be obeyed. A true believer in Christ will do so.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “This verse summarizes Ch. 4. One cannot love God without first loving one’s fellow believer. A claim to love God is a delusion if not accompanied by unselfish love for other Christians.”

While no one of us can love God, or our fellow man, perfectly, we are to strive to obey God’s command to self-sacrificially love. Make this a priority today as you encounter the people in your life.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!    

 

^“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (I John 4:18)

What does it mean to be fearless? Definitions include such additional words as courageous, bold, daring, valiant, brave and confident. Within the context of I John 4:18, the best definition for fearless would be unafraid.

The Apostle John says that “There is no fear in love.” This would be about not only God’s love for us but also our love for God.

The word John uses for fear is φόβος from which we derive our English word phobia. It can, and does mean in many contexts, a reverence for God. However, within today’s text it means a state of sever distress. John is not stating that believers should not have reverence for God in their love for Him, but rather that they do not have to be in a severe condition of distress in their relationship with Him.

This is a wonderful truth. Why? It is because God’s love for the believer casts out this condition of distress. To cast out (βάλλει; ballei) means to drive out or to do away with. God’s love for the believer in Christ drives away any feeling or emotion of distress.

Distress has to do with punishment. Do you remember when you knew you were going to be punished by your parents? Perhaps it was the period of time waiting for your father to come home from work. Frankly, the waiting part for the punishment was often worse than the punishment itself. Well, sometimes.

The Apostle John explains that fearful distress has to do with punishment. While the word κόλασιν (kolasin) may refer to God pruning the believer from ongoing sin (John 15), within this context in today’s text it refers to chastisement, a reprimand or a rebuke. Remember, Jesus Christ has received our punishment, reprimand and rebuke (I John 4:7-11).

One commentator explains that, “The fear spoken of here is not a godly fear or filial reverence, a holy fear of displeasing the Father through sin (I Peter 1:17, Heb. 12:28), but as the context indicates (“fear hath torment”), a slavish fear of a slave for a master, or of a criminal before a judge. The divine love produced in the heart of the yielded saint includes the former but not the latter. “Torment” is kolasis (κολασις), “correction, punishment, penalty,’ and brings with it or has connected with it the thought of punishment.” Thus, the saint who has experienced the fullness of this divine love in his earthly life, will have no fear of correction or penalty (loss of reward) at the Judgment Seat of Christ.”

John completes his thought by saying that whoever continues to have this fear of distress does not truly possess the love of God. They continue to battle besetting sin within their lives, therefore leading to a fear of distress. They are lacking a completeness or perfectness.

The word John uses for perfected (τετελείωται; teteleiotai) means to bring to its fullness. The believer in Christ who approaches the impending Judgment Seat of Christ in a spirit of distress is the saint who has not experienced the fullness of God’s love, and because they did not maintain a Spirit-filled life during their earthly life.

Dr. John Walvoord concludes that, “If a believer looks forward with trepidation to the judgment seat of Christ, it is because God’s love has not yet reached completeness in Him. The words here rendered perfect are no different in force from the idea of “completeness” expressed in 2:5 and 4:12. The matured experience of God’s love (reached in the act of loving one another) is incompatible with fear and expels fear from the heart.”

Thank you Lord for working within each believer so that they will possess a fearless love.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!