BORN OF GOD
1 John 5:1-5, ESV
Part 17 of the sermon series on the Letters of John
One assurance of God’s Holy Spirit among believers is God’s love expressed to each other. Believers love because He first loved them, and those who truly love God cannot hate their brother (1 Jn 4:19-20). God’s divine love enables believers to reject hatred and practice love for their brothers (and sisters). Therefore, every true believer will value the church community. The apostle would remind the readers of remaining true to the doctrines they have learned. John would explain that being born of God, loving God, loving the community, and remaining true to the doctrines are all intertwined.
Doctrine
John reiterates that Jesus is the Messiah, the promised one since long ago. He directly addressed the false teachings of the time, which claimed that Jesus and Christ are two separate entities (dualism), and that there was no incarnation (all matter is evil). One cannot be born of God if they do not believe in the truth about Jesus Christ. Moreover, whoever loves the Father loves all born of God.
1 John 5:1: 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.
The phrase, “born of God,” means “born again” or “born from above.” The doctrinal term is “regeneration.” It is about God breathing new life into the believer. The new believer is also labeled a new creation (by Paul). One truly “regenerated” will love all who are “regenerated.”
Love and the Commandments
People born of God will love other people born of God. The proof is loving God and obeying His commandments. According to John, the love of God is about keeping His commands. Moreover, His commands are not burdensome.
1 John 5:2-3: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
The test of loving the Father is by loving the community of believers, and the test of loving the community is loving God. Furthermore, loving God is obeying His commandments. The apostle intertwines the elements, giving the impression that they cannot be separated for those born of God.
Overcome through Faith
The apostle stated that those born of God overcome the world. John highlights the key element that overcomes the world: faith. The author asked a rhetorical question about who overcomes the world. The answer is no one except those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God.
1 John 5:4-5: 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?
John’s Christology affirms humanity and divinity. Jesus was born as a man, yet He is the eternal Son who was with the Father in eternity. The apostle underscores that faith must be grounded in a correct doctrine of Jesus.
Application
1. We must affirm and proclaim the humanity and divinity of Christ; He is truly God and truly man. He is both God and Savior. Furthermore, we must denounce any false teaching about His humanity and divinity.
2. Let us love God and the community of believers. All who are genuinely born of God will love one another. Such is the work of God in us and through us. This is our assurance that we truly belong to Him.
3. If we truly belong to Him, we will overcome the world through faith. We will not follow the ways of the world like the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. We will love and not hate. By obeying God, we express that we love the community of faith.
Poem
LOVE, DOCTRINE, AND OBEDIENCE by Ed Pilapil Jr Born of God, believers in Christ With the world, do not compromise Discernment versus false doctrine Every spirit we examine Christ is both God and Savior We love, yet we are warriors Rejecting all the false teachings Love is what we are practicing What else should we be practicing? To embrace all the right teachings We are lovers and warriors Bearing the name of the Savior Our hearts and words, we examine Explaining truth and Christ’s doctrine Faith overcomes; no compromise Because we’re born of God through Christ
Study Guide
1. What does it mean to be born of God (1 Jn 5:1)?
2. What are the intertwining key elements cited by John? Explain each (1 Jn 5:1-5).
3. Explain overcoming the world (1 Jn 5:4-5). Feel free to use the whole epistle.
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