I John 5 (NIV)

Summary:

Faith in the Son of God
Verses 1-12

Everyone that believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.  Everyone who loves the Father also loves His child.  This is how we know that we love God's children - we love God and we carry His commands.  His commands are not burdensome.  Everyone born of God overcomes the world, thus we have gained victory  over the world and over our faith.  Only those that believe in Jesus as God's son overcomes the world.

Jesus Christ came by water and the blood.  The Spirit testifies because the Spirit is truth.  These three testify - the Spirit, the water, and the blood.  These Three are in agreement.

We accept man's testimony, so we accept God's testimony all the more.  Anyone that believes in the Son of God has this testimony in their hearts.  Those that don't believe in Christ makes God out to be a liar.  The testimony is this: "God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son." (Verse 11b)

If we have the Son, we have life.  If we don't have the Son, we don't have life.

Concluding Remarks
Verses 13-21

John writes to those who believe in Christ, so that we can know that we have eternal life.  We have confidence in approaching God - if we ask for anything according to His will, He hears us.  If we know that He hears us, we know that we have whatever we ask for. 

If we see someone sin in a manner that does not lead to death, we should pray and God will give them life.  There is a sin that leads to death.  All wrongdoing is sin, but not all sin leads to death.  Anyone born of God stops sinning. 

The one born of God keeps us safe and the evil one cannot harm us.  We know we're God's children and the whole world is under the control of the evil one.  We know the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so we can know Him who is true.  We are in Him, that is Christ, the true God and the eternal life.

"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols."  (Verse 21)

Lori's Thoughts:

If we don't choose God as our Lord, we automatically gain the devil as our lord, by default.  Don't kid yourself.  We know the opposite of good and of life.  We think submission to God is slavery - dryness and dullness.  Sin is enticing.  (If you believe this, then I know you can't have experienced a relationship with God yet.)

Taste and see that God is good!  Don't judge it unless you try it.  Stop looking at others to define spirituality or religion for you.  They're wrong!  Experience it for yourself.

Choose, today, whom you will serve!  There is still time to decide.  The only thing that will guarantee your eternal damnation is putting anyone or anything else where God should be in your life.  This is idolatry.  Choose to live and to love deeply.  Ask God to help you jump.  It's like sky-diving or jumping off a cliff into a river.  Live it!