1 John 5:1-5

FAITH

John begins this section speaking of everyone who “believes” that Jesus is the Christ.  Unbeknownst to many, Christ is not a last name.  It is a title.  It means the “anointed one.”  It was a title that clearly refers to the messiah whom God would send to deliver His people (Matthew 16:16).  Our victory is our faith (vs. 4).  We all have shoes with swooshes on the side, but what you may not know is that the word victory comes from the greek word representing the name of the goddess of victory… Nike.  However, our victory isn’t accomplished by our ability to “just do it.”  It is accomplished by what we believe… our faith.  This is not merely intellectual ascent.  It is a firm understanding that Jesus is God who became flesh and dwelt among us.  While on Earth, He lived the perfect human life so He was able to substitute Himself in our place for our sin.  Only through the blood of the lamb can propitiation occur (I John 2:2; 4:10).  One of the five solas of the reformation was “sola fide,” which means, “by faith alone.”  We must believe who Jesus said He was and what He said He did for us to be saved.  There is no victory outside of putting our trust in Jesus, the Christ.

LOVE

We are again instructed that loving one another is a sign that we have truly believed in the person and work of Jesus (I John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11, 12).  In John’s mind, there is no such thing as a church who “believes” the truth, but doesn’t “practice” the truth.  If we love God, we will love one another!  We may ask ourselves at this point, “what does it look like to love one another?”  We can look at some of the other “one another” verses we find in the New Testament to answer that question…

Devote ourselves to one another – Romans 12:10

Bear with one another – Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13

Live in harmony with one another – Romans 12:16; I Peter 3:8

Offer hospitality to one another – I Peter 4:9

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs – Ephesians 5:19

Don’t pass judgment on one another – Romans 14:13

Submit to one another – Ephesians 5:21

Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another – I Peter 5:5

Encourage one another – I Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; 10:25

Instruct one another – Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16

Don’t slander one another – James 4:11

Greet one another – Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 13:12; I Peter 5:14

Spur one another towards love and good deeds – Hebrews 10:24

Agree with one another – I Corinthians 1:10

Serve one another – Galatians 5:13

Accept one another – Romans 15:3

Honor one another – Romans 12:10

OBEDIENCE

Those who truly “believe” in the person of Jesus will not only “love one another,” but also obey the commands of God.  To obey His commands is not burdensome (vs. 3).  Have you ever spoken to a non-believer?  Isn’t it true that they see the Bible as a set of rules that is impossible to keep.  Even immature believers can fall into patterns of self-righteous rule keeping.  Like a child they may ask, “why do I have to do that,” or, “how is that good for me.”  However, the mature in Christ understand that God’s ways are the best ways for our lives.  His commands are not an intrusion into our existence.  They are a blessing that keeps us within His ways.  Think of King David who wrote Psalm 119, which is the longest chapter of the Bible at 176 verses.  What do all those verses have in common?  A love for God’s laws, precepts, statutes, testimonies, and commands.  Why does David love God’s Word?  It keeps him pure and following the paths of the Lord.  Obedience to God is not a burden for those who “believe” in Him and “love” Him.  Rather, it is the privilege to follow Him throughout the course of this momentary existence we call life!

Study Questions

1.  In speaking of Christian works, Martin Luther said, “we are saved by faith alone, but not by faith that is alone.”  What do you think he meant by that?

2.  When you look at the life that Jesus lived you can see how He accomplished all the things He commanded us to do.  As you read the list of “one another” verses from this chapter, why do you think the church is an important part of the Kingdom of God that Jesus brought to earth?

3.  God called David “a man after His own heart.”  When you read Psalm 119, why do you think that is so?

4.  Discuss the relationship of faith, love, and obedience to God.