As we come to the final chapter of 1 John (with 1 John 5), we find strong encouragement for our faith and confidence in Christ. This chapter ties together the key themes of the entire letter—love, obedience, belief, and assurance. John reminds us that when we believe in Jesus, we are born of God. And because we are His children, we can live with assurance, victory, and peace.
Let’s walk through 1 John 5 together and see what it teaches us about living as overcomers in Christ.
1. Faith in Jesus Makes Us God’s Children (1 John 5:1-5)
John starts by reminding us of the foundation of our faith:
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” — 1 John 5:1 (KJV)
Believing in Jesus as the Christ—God’s promised Savior—is how we are born again. When we believe, we become part of God’s family. And if we love the Father, we will love His children too. That’s one of the tests of true faith—love for others, especially fellow believers.
Then John connects love and obedience:
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” — 1 John 5:3 (KJV)
When we truly love God, we don’t see His commands as a burden. We obey because we want to please Him, not because we’re trying to earn something.
John goes on to say that our faith in Christ gives us victory:
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” — 1 John 5:4 (KJV)
We don’t overcome by our strength—we overcome by trusting in Jesus. The world throws temptations, fears, and lies at us, but faith keeps us steady.
2. The Witness of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:6-12)
Next, John talks about the testimony, or witness, that confirms who Jesus is:
“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood…” — 1 John 5:6 (KJV)
The “water” likely refers to Jesus’ baptism, and the “blood” to His crucifixion. Both events revealed Him as the Son of God. His baptism marked the beginning of His ministry, and His death completed the work of salvation.
John emphasizes that the Holy Spirit also bears witness:
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” — 1 John 5:7 (KJV)
This verse affirms the Trinity—Father, Son (the Word), and Holy Spirit—each bearing witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.
Then in verse 11, John brings it all home:
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
Eternal life isn’t something we work for. It’s a gift. And that gift is found only in Jesus. That’s why verse 12 says:
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
If we have Jesus, we have everything. Without Him, we have nothing. That’s the clear dividing line.
3. Assurance of Salvation (1 John 5:13-15)
One of the most comforting verses in this chapter is verse 13:
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”
God wants us to live with assurance—not guessing or hoping, but knowing. When we trust in Jesus, we don’t have to wonder if we’re saved. We can be sure.
And because we are His children, we can come boldly in prayer:
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” — 1 John 5:14 (KJV)
God hears us when we pray in line with His will. We don’t have to beg or plead—we can come with confidence, knowing He listens and responds in love.
4. Praying for Others and Resisting Sin (1 John 5:16-19)
John shifts to a more difficult subject—how to pray for someone caught in sin:
“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life…” — 1 John 5:16 (KJV)
John encourages us to intercede for fellow believers who are struggling. But he also mentions a “sin unto death,” which has sparked a lot of discussion. While we may not fully understand every detail, the point is clear: sin is serious, and we should take it seriously. But we should also pray for those who are falling.
He reminds us again of the power of being born of God:
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not…” — 1 John 5:18 (KJV)
This doesn’t mean we never sin—it means we don’t live in continual, unrepentant sin. God protects His children, and Satan cannot take away what God has given.
5. Confidence in the True God (1 John 5:20-21)
John ends the chapter with a final reminder of who we belong to:
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true…” — 1 John 5:20 (KJV)
We don’t follow myths or empty religion—we follow the one true God. Through Jesus, we know the truth and have eternal life.
The very last verse is short but powerful:
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” — 1 John 5:21 (KJV)
John ends with a warning—don’t let anything else take God’s place in your heart. Whether it’s money, success, comfort, or self—anything we love more than God is an idol. He alone deserves our worship and trust.
Final Thoughts
1 John 5 leaves us with solid truth and strong assurance.
- We are born of God by faith in Jesus.
- We have eternal life in Him.
- We can pray with confidence.
- We can overcome sin and live in victory.
- We can know the truth and stay away from idols.
Let’s live with bold faith and thankful hearts, knowing that we are children of God and that eternal life is ours in Christ.
“He that hath the Son hath life.” — 1 John 5:12 (KJV)
Amen. Let’s hold on to that truth every single day.
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