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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
5:1-12 Faith in the Son as the Way to Life. So far, John has spoken much of love and obedience but not so much of faith. The emphasis now shifts to believing in the Son. Of 1 John's
5:1-5 Faith Keeps the Commandments of God. The road to love--such a great concern of John's--is paved with faith in Christ.
5:1 Everyone who believes that. The word "that" underscores that saving faith has a particular content. It is not a vague religious commitment but a wholehearted trust in the saving work of Christ. Everyone who believes has been born of God. Regeneration precedes faith (cf. 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; note on Eph. 2:5).
5:2 Obeying God's commandments in Scripture is the way to love the children of God because God's commandments show believers the true way to do good for others (cf. Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14). Love and law are complementary.
5:3 not burdensome. God's love in his people gives them the desire to love and please him. So with eagerness they keep his commandments. Rightly understood and followed, God's commandments bring believers great joy and freedom, not a sense of oppression (cf. Matt. 11:28-30).
5:4 overcomes the world. Genuine Christians are not defeated by the world's hostility or compelled by it to turn from Christ.
