Faith Overcomes the World
1 John 5:1-5
[1] 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. [2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. [4] For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1. What is John’s stated purpose for writing his first epistle (1 John)? How does this compare to the reason he said he wrote his Gospel (John)?
2. What tests/assurances of our faith and walk does John present in our passage, 1 Jn 5:1-5? Are they tests of our loves/affections, or tests of our actions?
3. How would you define “believe” as John uses it in 1 Jn 5:1? Use negative and positive examples.
4. Why must we love God first before we can rightly love and serve our brothers and neighbors?
5. Is loving God and keeping His commandments the exact same thing? How do they relate to each other?
6. What is the “world” that those born of God overcome in 1Jn 5:4?
7. What should we look to for our assurance of salvation?References: 1 Jn 5:13; John 20:31; Luke 4:34,41; James 2:19; Matthew 19:16-22; Matthew 13:44-46; 1 Jn 4:19; Ps 34:8; 1 Jn 3:17-18; James 2:15-16; Jn 14:15; Psalm 119:47; Romans 7:10, 22-23; 1 Jn 2:15-17; Eph 6:12; Eph 2:8-10.
