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More I John commentaries
I John 2:1-6
Tests of true knowledge
I John 2:7-11
God’s people are to love one another
I John 2:12-14
Three categories of believers
I John 2:15-17
Worldliness is a matter of the heart
I John 2:18-22
The opponent of Christ
I John 2:23-25
Jesus and God are one
I John 2:26-29
Twisting the Scriptures
I John 3:1-3
A clear description of God’s Children
I John 3:4-8
Reasons why Jesus died on the cross
I John 3:9-12
I have two dogs living in me
I John 3:13-15
Don’t be surprised if the world hates you
I John 3:16-18
Love is an action, not a feeling
I John 3:19-24
Doctrine and love are both needed
I John 4:1-3
Don’t believe everything you hear
I John 4:4-6
Sure tests for true teaching
I John 4:7-12
Love is an action
I John 4:13-16
The relationship of belief to love
I John 4:17-21
Pretending is not a mark of maturity
I John 5:1-5
What must I do to be saved?
I John 5:6-12
Proof that Jesus is God
I John 5:13-17
Instrument for getting God’s will done on earth
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What must I do to be saved?
I John 5:1–5
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Someone once met a lad going to school long before the days when transportation was provided. The lad was carrying on his back a smaller boy who was clearly lame and unable to walk. The stranger said to the lad, “Do you carry him to school every day?” “Yes,” s … More
The first part of this verse is one of the clearest statements in Scripture of what a person has to do to be saved (v. 1). We must love other Christians to be obedient to God’s commandments (vv. 2-3). This love expresses itself in action, not just emotion. Every Christian has overcome the world by his or her initial faith in Jesus Christ (v. 4). Disobedience to God’s will is a tragedy; but so is reluctant, grudging obedience. What is the secret of joyful obedience? It is found in family relationships. In any well organized family there are rules. When there is love and a right heart attitude toward this relationship the members have a desire to obey the rules. However, a stranger to the family may not have any desire or interest in keeping the family rules. The same is true in God’s family. Jesus never promised that obeying Him would be easy. But the hard work and self discipline of serving Christ is not a burden to those who love Him.
Continuing to overcome is not automatic for the Christian. Not all Christians continue to overcome the world. Only those who continue to live by faith do. However, no one can overcome the world unless he or she believes that Jesus is the Son of God (v. 5). Warren Wiersbe tells the story of a soldier in the army of Alexander the Great who was not acting bravely in battle. When he should have been pressing hard, he was lingering behind. The great general approached him and asked, “What is your name soldier?” The man replied “My name, sir, is Alexander.” The general looked him straight in the eye and said firmly: “Soldier, get in there and fight; or change your name.” Where a man sits determines how much authority he may exercise.
Application
How are belief, love and obedience interconnected? I need to be honest as to which of these three I’m struggling with the most? Lord, help me to confess it and work on it.
I John 5:1-5 (English Standard Version)
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?
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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