Monthly Archives: August 2019

1 John 5:13-17

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

vs 13

Why is it important to know (have assurance) that we have eternal life?
How does this knowledge affect the way you live?

vs 14-15

What topic does John immediately turn to after he talks about this assurance?
What does this tell you about God’s priorities for your life?
When John says “if we ask anything according to his will he hears us”, what does he have in mind?
What is God’s will for us?

1 Thessalonians 4:3

Philippians 2:15

Matthew 5:14-16

What is God’s will for others?

1 Timothy 2:4

Vs 16
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

God will give him life – means that God will give repentance (Acts 11:18)

Who are you praying for who is in need of repentance?
Do you have assurance that God is answering?
What is the sin that leads to death? (Bible Answers, Matthew 12:31)

Note that John does not say you shouldn’t pray for those who have committed this sin. He leaves it up to the individual conscience.

Are you praying for someone who has committed the sin that leads to death?
How do you pray for them?
What has Holy Spirit shown you about this?
What does God’s word and the example of Jesus say about it?

1 John 5:6-12

1 John 5:6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

Historical background – Docetists and gnostics said that Jesus did not have a real physical body and did not really die on the cross, but only appeared to die. (Islam says the same thing).

In opposition to this false teaching, John insists on the following facts about Jesus

His baptism (came by water) – the beginning of his ministry, when Holy Spirit testified clearly to his identity
His sufferings (came by blood)
The water and blood that flowed from his side when he was pierced (evidence that he really died). John 19:34-35

1 John 5:7-9 For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.

When and how did God testify openly to who Jesus is?

At his baptism
Through his miracles
At his transfiguration
At his trials before the Sanhedrin, before Herod and before Pilate
At his death, by revealing to the centurion who Jesus was
At his resurrection

1 John 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

What does John mean by saying that anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in himself?

Holy Spirit within us testifies to who Jesus is
Testimony of a changed life

1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

We have not yet been raised from the dead. What does John mean by saying that we (already) have eternal life?

John 5:24

1 John 3:14

Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV, NIV

1 John 5:1-5

Love is not an option

ESV

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. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Discussion Notes

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.

In this verse,

What does “believe” mean?
What does “born of God” mean?
Why is it true that if you love the Father you will love his children?

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.

To grasp what John is really saying here, check out John 14:15 and John 15:14.

Love is not always easy. If you find some of God’s children difficult to love, consider this.

We are saved by grace. But when we are saved, the first and most important evidence of our salvation is that we love God, which is impossible for us to do without His grace.
If we love him we will want to please him.
In John 14:15 and John 15:14, Jesus says that real love results in obedience
God commands us to love His children, who are our brothers and sisters
If you love God, you will learn to love His children
(and He will help you – see next verse)

And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Let’s assume that John is talking about only two (or three, or four) commandments.

Love God with your whole being – with everything in you
(heart, soul, mind, strength)
Love your neighbour as yourself
Love your brother/sister as Jesus has loved you
Love your enemies

Do you find these commandments easy or hard to keep?

If they are hard to keep, why is this? (See 1 John 2:15-17)
If they are easy to keep, why is this? (See 1 John 5:4)
Can both these things be true at the same time?
Which way do you want it to be in your life?

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

What is the essence of “the world” according to 1 John 2:15-17?
How does believing in Jesus – the Son of God – help you to overcome pride and self-preoccupation?

1 John 4:19-21

ESV

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother [sister] whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother [sister].

Discussion Questions

When John says we love because He first loved us, is he talking about all forms of love, or a love that is unique to those who belong to Jesus? Why?
Why does John say that those who do not love their brothers and sisters do not really love God?
Who is your brother or sister?
How is our love for our brothers and sisters in the faith different from our love of neighbour? How are they the same?
Read John 17:20-23.
- What does Jesus say here about the impact of genuine love among believers?
- Why is it not selfish to prioritize love for the brothers and sisters?
- If this love is truly from God, what will it also lead to?

Peter's Bible Study Notes