1 John Chapter 5 Pt. 1 Those Who Love God Love Each Other

When we know God, we will love other Christians. 

1 John 5:1  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.

The first word of the last chapter in John's letter to the churches, is a word of beauty and wonder. 

"Whosoever" is a word that reminds us of the universal invitation from God to every person, to repent of sin and be born again.

"Whosoever" reminds us that God did indeed love the world, to the point that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us.

John 3:15-16  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

The word "Whosoever" reminds us that God promises to grant eternal life to all who hear the gospel and believe on Jesus Christ. 

John tells us that whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. The title "Christ" refers to the long promised, much anticipated Messiah, spoken of by all the prophets and the law. 

Thus, believing that Jesus is the Christ, the One who eternally rules and reigns as King of kings, is essential for salvation.

The words "born of God" corresponds to Jesus telling Nicodemus that "Ye must be born again" (See John 3:3-7).

John reminds us again that those who are truly born again, will love one another as Christ commanded us to do. 

Our love for God is demonstrated by keeping His commandments. 

1 John 5:2-3  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

Next, the apostle brings back another litmus test. A true believer in Jesus Christ will demonstrate his or her love for God, by whether or not we keep His commandments. 

Those who profess faith in Christ but do not obey His commands, have made a false profession of faith in Christ. 

Our love of God’s children is a proof that we love God. Our love to God is the cause of why we love his children. Our desire and striving to keep the commandments of God, is the proof that we love him.

Trust and obey for there is no other way. 

The phrase "we know we love the children of God" refers to the inward, spiritual reality of being born again.  

John 13:34-35  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35)  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

It is having a conscious love to God, manifested by heartily keeping His commandments. When we love God and love one another it is a manifestation of a heart changed by God. 

This is the command Jesus gave to all of us. "Love one another as I have loved you." This is what John is helping us to see. This truth must be evident in our lives, if we claim to be born again. 

Keeping the commandments of God is joyful, not burdensome. 

1 John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

Notice what the Spirit of God guided John to share with us. Keeping the commandments of God is not grievous for the born again believer in Christ. 

The word "grievous" means trying to carry a staggeringly heavy load, and being unable to move it very far. 

Jesus invites all to come unto Him and receive rest for their soul. 

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

What John wrote connects to what Jesus said in Matthew's gospel. Jesus invited all who heard Him preach, to come to Him. He will give us rest. He is meek and lowly in heart, and will provide rest for our soul. 

His yoke is easy. This is in contrast to the hundreds of man made, onerous restrictions and prohibitions imposed by Judaism.

The yoke that Jesus gives us to bear is light, a burden that we can manage.

This truth pictures a born again believer in Christ, who has a newly given desire to please God by obeying His commands.

We do not obey the commands of God in order to gain His favor. Rather, we seek to obey them because of what He did to save us, through Jesus Christ. 

The idea of our yoke being easy to bear, and the burden we carry being light, is connected to the indwelling Spirit of God. 

He is the comforter promised by Jesus and when the Spirit regenerates our heart, He also lives in us.

He gives us the desire to obey God's commands. He teaches us about them so that we learn that they are best for us and very good. Thus, we receive a new desire to walk in His ways, obeying His Word.

Thoughts to Ponder...

The Psalmist helps us see the blessing of keeping God's commands. 

Psalm 19:7-8  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8)  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

The law of God is perfect, a flawless moral standard that will never change. The law of God can convert the soul and bring wisdom to the ignorant. 

His commands are right and pure. Obeying them fills us with rejoicing and illuminates the way that God would have us to walk in. 

Psalm 119:47-48  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. 48)  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. 

Those who study God's Word will find great delight in what God says in His commandments. 

We will learn to love them and love God, because He shows us what is best for us, and He truly wants what is best for us. 

Psalm 119:103-104  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104)  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 

As we grow in our faith and learn to obey His commands, we will discover how sweet and precious the Word of God is to us. It is the holy grid that helps us discern truth and error. 

May the Holy Spirit of God have His way in our hearts today. May He instill a fresh love for God and for others into our soul.

May He give us a fresh passion and desire to obey the commandments of God, and may we be ready and willing to follow Him. 

Bob