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by
Howard Watson
This is the chapter of victory through faith in Jesus Christ. The
born-again person becomes a victor over the world, sin and the evil
one. Faith in Jesus Christ, who is come in flesh, is central in
our victory. Verse one confirms this: "everyone, who believes,
that Jesus is the Christ out of ("ek" Gk. meaning out
of) God, is begotten/born (born-again) of God's Holy Spirit. Everyone
loving the One begetting, loves the one begotten of Him." The
evidence of our new birth is our love (agape) for God our heavenly
Father and each other. This great love, working in our lives, gives
evidence to abundant living in godliness and righteousness.
In verse five our victory over sin and the world, which Satan has
corrupted in evil and unbelief, is founded and based solely upon
our trusting in Jesus as God's Son, our Savior.
In verse six and following, the Holy Spirit gives proving testimony
to the finished work of Jesus Christ for us in our hearts. "...the
Spirit is the witness, that the Spirit is truth." This is a
trinity in one (3 in 1) of the truth concerning Christ Jesus God's
Son.
Our victory in Jesus Christ brings eternal abundant life. See verses
eleven to thirteen. Each Christian is to be personally identified
as possessing eternal life ("zoen" Gk. from "zao"
life, living existence, spiritual life).
Born-again persons are to lovingly intercede for a Christian who
has sinned in some way. In this way, we help one another to stay
on track in the life of Christ, Who lives within our hearts. John
speaks of a sin unto death in verses sixteen and seventeen. I believe
he is writing about physical death ("thanaton" Gk. from
"thnesko" meaning to die, mortality). The question of
whether a born-again person can subsequently sin a sin unto spiritual
death which cannot be forgiven in prayerful intercession, in my
opinion, goes beyond this text. In line with this is verse eighteen,
which says the one born of God (born-again from above "gegennemenos"
Gk. this is perfect tense, passive voice from "gennao"
and "ginomai" to come into existence, to beget, to be
born), does not practice sin ("hamartanei" Gk. present
tense, active voice from "hamartano" to miss a mark, to
be in error, to be guilty of wrong).
Finally John warns his people/children to beware of idolatry, to
guard against idols by keeping themselves from idols. Idols were
common in John's day. Images/shrines are of no use for spiritual
communication with the living God. But, idolatry does not necessitate
shrines because it is a heart condition of love for other things
rather than or more than God.
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