Faith is the Victory

1 John 5

– John has already warned us about the danger of falling in love with the

world (2:15-17), but now in the final chapter of his Epistle he tells us

how we can actually overcome it – through faith!

I. The Object of our Faith (vv. 1-5)

1. Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the object of Christian faith (vv. 1,5)
   1. It is not enough to have faith in something –> saving faith must have the proper object!
   2. Those who believe in Jesus have already been ‘born of God’ (John 3)
2. Confusing the object of faith with its effects
   1. Love is essential, but we don’t overcome the world through love
   2. Obedience is essential, but we don’t overcome the world through obedience
   3. Only faith in Jesus Christ can enable us to overcome the world!

Application:

If you want to overcome the world and experience victory you must place your faith in Jesus Christ.

There is no victory apart from Him!

II. The Certainty of our Faith (vv. 6-12)

1. A Triple Witness – Deuteronomy 19:15
   1. Witness of the Spirit – Romans 8:12-17
   2. Witness of the Water
      1. Reference to Jesus’ earthly baptism (Matthew 3:16-17)
      2. Through ‘Believer’s Baptism’ God continues to bear witness to the cleansing of our sin
   3. Witness of the Blood
      1. Reference to Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:45-54)
      2. Through the ‘Lord’s Table’ God continues to bear witness to the sacrifice which brings forgiveness
2. The Reliability of God’s Testimony
   1. To reject God’s testimony about Jesus is to call God a liar -> eternal death
   2. To accept God’s testimony about Jesus is the first step toward eternal life

Application:

The Christian message is an exclusive message:

Jesus is the only way to be saved.

We have a choice either to receive Him or to reject Him.

III. The Effects of our Faith (vv. 13-21)

1. Assurance of Faith (v. 13)
   1. John wrote his Gospel so that non-believers would come to saving faith in Jesus Christ (John 20:31)
   2. John wrote his Epistle so that believers would come full assurance of faith (v. 13)
2. Confidence in Prayer (vv. 14-17)
   1. Promise: God hears and answers the prayer of believers
   2. Condition: We must pray according to God’s will
   3. Example: Prayer for a brother or sister who has fallen into sin
      1. Prayer will restore true Christians back to a right relationship with God
      2. Prayer will not be able to restore a person who has committed the ‘sin unto death’ (ie. Apostasy/Rejection of Christ/ Blasphemy of the Spirit)
3. Protection from Idolatry (v. 21)