February 9, 2016
Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:1-4
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Questions for Reflection:
As we launch into the final chapter of 1 John, John repeats a concept that has been stated many times throughout his letter. How can you if someone is born of God? How can you know if you are born of God according to verse 1? The statement “Jesus is the Christ” becomes a litmus test for John. We can’t just talk or act in a certain way; John places emphasis on having proper belief as well.
In verse 2, John flips the argument he has made several times before. We’ve read him say that we can demonstrate our love for God by loving others. Now he comes at the argument from the opposite direction. How can we love the children of God? When we read “carrying out his commands,” there is a visceral gut reaction that makes us want to say, “I can’t do that.” It’s like John anticipates that response and answers in verse 3. What is his response? What does John means when he says that “his commands are not burdensome”?
Stephen Smalley explains, “The writer cannot be maintaining that God’s commands are not ‘exacting’; they are demanding, but the Christian who seeks to live up to God’s high moral standards is also given the power to do so.” How have you felt this power alive within you as you seek to obey His commands? Is there a time you can point to in this past week where you sensed the Spirit of God at work in your life empowering you to live the life He has called you to live? If so, have you shared that experience with someone else (your spouse, your children, your group or team)? God works in our lives not only to build our faith but to build the faith of the community. Share how is God is working in your life with others to encourage their belief.