John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 5:1-5

Faith is the Victory

 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 burden-some. 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? -1 Jno., 5:1-5

The object of gospel preaching and the object of the New Testament is to bring people to believe that Jesus is the Christ, then instruct the believer in the activity of that faith. One crucial part of this is loving the God who loves us. Such faith coupled with love will create desire to obey His commandments.

It is bewildering, given what this passage says, that people would object to obedience. Faith in Christ produces obedience, and if we love God (who loves us), why wouldn’t there be powerful motive to obey the commandments written in the New Testament? It is bewildering.

Further, “his commandments are not burdensome.” If I know what I believe, who I believe in and I love God and want to go to heaven, no commandment would refused. “His commandments are not burdensome.”

The victory over sin … victory over conflict … victory over tiresome … victory over hopeless is to be found in the activity of our faith in Christ.” “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?”