1 John Chapter Five

Faith Is The Victory

Virtual Pastor

In our study of 1 John chapter five, we look at the basis for our faith in Jesus Christ and how that faith allows us to overcome this world. There are many "faiths" today as it seems that everyone believes in something but we will see how it is only by faith in Jesus as the Son of God that we have the victory.

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1 John 5:1


Everyone who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah has God as his father, and everyone who loves a father loves his offspring too.


John begins by showing us that our faith is an exclusive faith in that it all comes down to Jesus being the Son of God and Savior of the world. Although this is not popular today, there is only one faith that accomplishes anything and that is Jesus. There are many that say they love God but reject His Son (Jesus) but, as we see here, that is not possible.

1 John 5:2


Here is how we know that we love God's children: when we love God, we also do what he commands.


We show our love to God by obeying Him and He has called us to love others. Therefore, we demonstrate our love for Him by loving those people that are around us. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered that it was to love God and love your neighbor. That is what John is stating here as well.

1 John 5:3 & 4


For loving God means obeying his commands. Moreover, his commands are not burdensome, because everything which has God as its Father overcomes the world. And this is what victoriously overcomes the world: our trust.


If we love God, we will not want to disappoint Him with our words and actions. That is why we obey His commands and they are "not burdensome". God is right in everything that He says and does and so His commands are the right things to do as well. Overcoming the world speaks to the fact that we are no longer defeated and controlled by our enemy which is threefold: the world, the flesh, and the devil. This is the only time that the word "victory" occurs in the New Testament and we are told that it only comes through our faith in Jesus.

1 John 5:5


Who does overcome the world if not the person who believes that Yeshua is the Son of God?


John repeats that it is not only believing that Jesus was a man or a prophet but believing that He is and was the Son of God. Many people believe that Jesus existed and was a good man or a prophet but that is not a saving faith. For example, Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet but strongly denies Him as the Son of God and so Muslims (followers of Islam) have not overcome the world. In fact, as we saw in chapter four, they are controlled by the spirit of the antichrist.

1 John 5:6-8


He is the one who came by means of water and blood, Yeshua the Messiah - not with water only, but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three witnesses - the Spirit, the water and the blood - and these three are in agreement.


Throughout the Bible, water is a symbol of the Word of God. This passage shows us the relationship between the word, the Spirit, and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Living Word (Jesus Christ) came and paid for our sins with His blood allowing us a right relationship with God. His word is applied to our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. The number three is associated with the earthly display of God's will and we see through this passage that God's will is for us to accept the sacrifice of His Son and to walk in His word through the power of the Spirit.

1 John 5:9 & 10


If we accept human witness, God's witness is stronger, because it is the witness which God has given about his Son. Those who keep trusting in the Son of God have this witness in them. Those who do not keep trusting God have made him out to be a liar, because they have not trusted in the witness which God has given about his Son.


We believe many things that people tell us today without even thinking about it. At the same time, many reject the words of God concerning His Son. God's testimony about Jesus was not with words only but with action demonstrated by His resurrection. Anyone who does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, attempts to call God a liar even as evidence was presented by that resurrection.

1 John 5:11 & 12


And this is the witness: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Those who have the Son have the life; those who do not have the Son of God do not have the life.


We have eternal life with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. If you want to overcome the world and live forever with God, it really is that simple. Although it is not popular and you may even be persecuted for saying so, there is no other way except through the Son of God.

1 John 5:13


I have written you these things so that you may know that you have eternal life - you who keep trusting in the person and power of the Son of God.


God does not want us wondering whether we are saved and will spend eternity with Him. We can know for sure because of our faith in Jesus Christ whom God raised from the dead. There are many uncertain things in the world today but, by faith, we can be sure that we will live forever with God. Jesus won the victory over sin and death and we can claim that victory through Him.

1 John 5:14


This is the confidence we have in his presence: if we ask anything that accords with his will, he hears us.


The victory that we have is not just eternal life (even though that would be big enough) but it is also a victory for today. That same faith in God and His nature gives us confidence in talking with Him (prayer). We understand that God has the power and desire to take care of us as a good father takes care of his child. Therefore, we can ask for anything that is in His plan (will) for our lives and he listens. The hard part is in knowing what that will is but He has given us His Word and His Spirit to help us to see. Many Christians do not ask God for the things that He has planned for them and so they do not receive. This failure to ask is not because of a lack of faith in God but it is because of a lack of understanding of His will for them. There are others that ask for everything that their minds can dream up but they do not receive many of those things because God knows that they are not the best for them. Because those things are not what is best for that person, they are not a part of God's plan (will) for their lives.

1 John 5:15


And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - then we know that we have what we have asked from him.


If we are God's children (adopted through the blood of Jesus Christ), then we know that God listens to us. He not only listens but He also answers and we know that we have what we asked because He is able and willing to give to His children.

1 John 5:16 & 17


If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, he will ask; and God will give him life for those whose sinning does not lead to death. There is sin that does lead to death; I am not saying he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.


What is the sin that leads to death? We find the answer in Jesus' words: "But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." This is the only sin that the Lord says cannot be forgiven. The reason is fairly simple, in that, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is denying its existence and power. In 1 Peter, we learned that it is the Spirit that calls and sanctifies us. Therefore, if the existence of the Spirit is not accepted, it is impossible for the sinner to come to repentance and forgiveness. Without repentance and forgiveness, there is death.

1 John 5:18 & 19


We know that everyone who has God as his Father does not go on sinning; on the contrary, the Son born of God protects him, and the Evil One does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the Evil One.


God forgives our sins and if we are truly His children we are not controlled by the sinful nature. Jesus is the one who protects us and keeps us for eternity. We are His children and not children of the world which is controlled by Satan.

1 John 5:20 & 21


And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment, so that we may know who is genuine; moreover, we are united with the One who is genuine, united with his Son Yeshua the Messiah. He is the genuine God and eternal life. Children, guard yourselves against false gods!


Jesus came and gave us wisdom and a counselor (the Holy Spirit) so that we may understand the things of God. This understanding of the nature of God compels us to stay away from false gods and idolatry.

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