The Confidence of Faith
Is it possible to know for certain where we stand with God?
1 John 5:1-21
Read the whole passage before anything else. Everything below exists to help you understand what you just read.
1Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him.
2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments.
3For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
4For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.
5Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
7For there are three who testify:
8the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three agree as one.
9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.
10He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn’t believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son.
11The testimony is this: that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life.
13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
14This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.
15And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
16If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.
17All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.
18We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him.
19We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
What just happened?
Imagine a small, tightly knit group of believers scattered across the Roman province of Asia Minor, likely around modern-day western Turkey. It’s the late first century AD, decades after Jesus’s resurrection and ascension, and the initial wave of apostles is mostly gone. John, perhaps the last surviving eyewitness to Jesus’s earthly ministry, is now an old man. He’s writing this letter not to a single church, but to a network of house churches he knows well. The setting is one of intense spiritual pressure: the Roman Empire demands emperor worship, and philosophical currents are swirling, some of which are twisting the truth about who Jesus is.
This was a time before the New Testament was compiled into a single book, before widespread Christian academies or established doctrines were universally agreed upon. People were learning about Jesus from apostles, teachers, and letters like this one. But some teachers were introducing new ideas, claiming special, secret knowledge (what would later be called Gnosticism, or early forms of it). They might have said that Jesus only *seemed* to be human, or that the spiritual world was good and the physical world inherently evil, which had profound implications for Jesus's incarnation and death. This caused confusion, doubt, and division within the small Christian communities.
John is writing to stabilize these communities, to reassure them, and to equip them to discern truth from falsehood. His readers weren't just curious; their eternal hope was on the line. He's not writing a theological treatise for scholars; he's writing a pastoral letter from a beloved elder, deeply concerned for his 'little children' (a term he uses throughout). He wants to cut through the noise, reaffirm the foundational truths about Jesus, and remind them that their experience of God isn't some abstract philosophical puzzle, but a real, knowable relationship that brings assurance.
Born of God, Overcoming the World
John opens this section by drawing a direct line: "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God." This isn't just a simple statement; it’s a profound declaration of spiritual birth. To be "born of God" means a new spiritual origin, a fundamental change in who you are and whose family you belong to. It’s a concept that Jesus himself introduced, speaking of needing to be 'born again' (John 3). John then connects this new birth to love: if you love the Father, you will also love His children – other believers. This isn't just about warm feelings; it's a practical love that shows itself in obedience to God's commands, which John insists "are not grievous" or burdensome.
The reason these commands aren't a heavy burden, John says, is because "whatever is born of God overcomes the world." Here, "the world" isn't the physical planet, but the system of human values and desires set against God. It's the cultural current pulling people away from God's truth. The way we overcome this world, John declares, is "your faith." This is the victory, the power that enables a new way of living. It's not about superhuman effort or a perfect track record; it's about a foundational belief. And what is that belief? "He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
The Testimony of God
John zeroes in on the identity of Jesus, stating, "This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood." This phrase likely confronts specific false teachings. Some believed Jesus was divine, but only *appeared* human, or that the 'Christ spirit' descended on the human Jesus at his baptism (the 'water') but left before his crucifixion (the 'blood'). John emphatically states that Jesus was fully divine *and* fully human throughout his entire ministry, from his baptism to his death on the cross, validating both events as crucial parts of his identity and mission. The "Spirit who testifies" (verse 6) points to the Holy Spirit's role in affirming Jesus's identity, a truth he also calls simply "the truth."
John explains that there are "three who testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three agree as one." These aren't separate, conflicting witnesses; they are a unified, undeniable testimony to who Jesus is. If we trust human witnesses, John argues, how much more should we trust "the witness of God"? This is God’s own testimony about his Son. The one who believes in Jesus, John says, "has the testimony in himself" – an inner assurance. But for those who don't believe, John makes a stark accusation: they've effectively called God a liar, rejecting His direct witness. The core of this testimony, this divine message, is that "God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." It's a clear, simple equation: "He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life."
Knowing You Have Life, and Praying with Confidence
John then states his purpose for writing all these things: "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." This isn't about guesswork; it's about *knowing*. He wants his readers to have an unshakable assurance, not just a vague hope. This certainty is meant to reinforce their continued faith, to keep them anchored in truth amidst the swirling currents of false teachings. This knowledge, this certainty, leads to a profound "boldness" or confidence in prayer.
This confidence means that "if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us." And if he listens, then "we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him." This isn't a blank check for demanding whatever we want; it's about aligning our desires with God's. John then brings up a practical application for this confidence: intercessory prayer for others. If a fellow believer commits "a sin not leading to death," we should pray for them, and God will grant them life. But he introduces a difficult concept: "There is sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this." This isn't a call to judgment but a recognition of spiritual realities.
Secure in God's Truth
John continues to build on the theme of assurance, offering three more "we know" statements. First, "whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him." This doesn't mean a believer never sins; earlier in the letter, John acknowledges that Christians *do* sin (1 John 1:8). Instead, it means a person born of God does not *continually* or *habitually* live in sin as a lifestyle. The new birth fundamentally changes our direction and allegiance, protecting us from the devil's pervasive influence.
Second, "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." This is a stark, dualistic view, common in ancient thought, separating those who belong to God from the rest of the world system. It's a reminder of where true allegiance lies and why the battle is so intense. Third, "We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." This is the ultimate "we know" – the certainty of Jesus’s identity and our relationship with the true God through him. John concludes with a simple, potent command: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." In a world full of false gods and competing loyalties, this is a call to undivided devotion to the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ.
What are we supposed to see?
This passage shows God as a witness, one who doesn't leave us to guess about eternal matters. He actively testifies about his Son, Jesus, using multiple, consistent channels: the Spirit, the 'water' (Jesus's baptism), and the 'blood' (Jesus's death). This isn't a God who hides or speaks in riddles when it comes to the most crucial information about salvation. Instead, he speaks plainly and powerfully, providing overwhelming evidence so that humans can 'know' with certainty. This act of testifying reveals a God who desires clarity and assurance for his children, not confusion or endless doubt.
The passage also shows God as a life-giver and protector. He is the source of a new spiritual birth, a birth that enables individuals to 'overcome the world' and grants 'eternal life.' He doesn't just offer this life; he sustains it, guarding those born of him so that 'the evil one doesn't touch him' in a way that truly compromises their spiritual standing. This active protection extends to listening to the prayers of his children, especially those prayed for others. This demonstrates a God who is intimately involved in the spiritual well-being of his people, not a distant or disengaged deity.
- 1IDENTITY
God is the Father who gives life and testifies about his Son, Jesus, who is the true God and the source of eternal life.
- 2WHAT HE VALUES
God values belief in Jesus, love for fellow believers, obedience to his commands, and the assurance of salvation for his children.
- 3WHAT HE CONFRONTS
God confronts disbelief in his Son, which is tantamount to calling God a liar, and the power of 'the world' and 'the evil one' that seek to pull people away from him.
Where this sits in the whole Bible
1 John 5:13 → John 20:31
Both passages, written by the same author, explicitly state their purpose is so the reader 'may know' or 'may believe' that Jesus is the Christ and have eternal life, highlighting John's consistent concern for assurance.
1 John 5:4 → Romans 12:2
Both passages speak of 'overcoming' or 'not conforming' to 'the world.' While 1 John focuses on faith as the victory, Romans speaks of transformation through the renewing of the mind, pointing to different facets of the same spiritual battle.
1 John 5:14 → Matthew 7:7-8
Both passages promise that God hears and answers prayer. 1 John adds the crucial condition 'according to his will,' while Matthew emphasizes asking, seeking, and knocking, showing a holistic approach to prayer.
John's repeated phrase 'we know' (verse 13, 18, 19, 20) isn't just wishful thinking; it’s a confident, reasoned certainty based on God's testimony and the reality of a transformed life, a direct challenge to any doubt about salvation.
Don't rush past this
The most uncomfortable part of this passage is John's reference to "sin leading to death" (verses 16-17), for which he says he doesn't advocate making a request. This immediately raises questions: What exactly is this sin? Is it an unforgivable sin? Does it mean some people are beyond hope, and we shouldn't even pray for them? John doesn't define it clearly, leaving us with an unsettling ambiguity. Many interpretations exist, some linking it to the 'blasphemy against the Holy Spirit' (Matthew 12:31-32) or a complete and final rejection of Christ after once knowing him. But the text itself gives no explicit explanation, forcing us to grapple with the idea that not all spiritual situations have the same outcome or even warrant the same response.
Compounding this discomfort is the statement that "whoever is born of God doesn't sin" (verse 18). This seems to contradict earlier parts of the letter (1 John 1:8, 2:1), where John acknowledges that believers *do* sin and need forgiveness. This apparent contradiction can lead to anxiety for anyone honestly assessing their own struggles. Does it mean if I still sin, I'm not truly born of God? John is clearly not advocating for sinless perfection in the sense of never committing a wrong action, but rather a fundamental break from a lifestyle of rebellion against God. The tension between these statements, however, requires careful thought and highlights the difference between an occasional failure and a determined pattern of living.
Turn it inward
Three questions from this passage. Answer them or just sit with them — nothing here is required to finish the lesson.
Father, thank you for not leaving us to wonder or guess about the most important things. Thank you for your clear testimony about Jesus and for the gift of eternal life through him. Help me to truly know the certainty you offer and to live in the confidence of being your child. Protect me from the world's pull and from anything that would take your rightful place in my heart. Amen.
This week, identify one area where you lack confidence in your faith or relationship with God. Instead of trying to feel more confident, spend five minutes each day reviewing one of John's 'we know' statements from this passage (5:13, 18, 19, 20). Write it down, and reflect on what it means that God *wants* you to have this certainty. Let this repeated truth be the foundation for addressing your doubt.
History, language, objections and sources. None of it is needed to understand the passage.
John says, 'He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life.' Is this an exclusive and narrow view of salvation that condemns billions who have never heard of Jesus, or who sincerely follow other paths?
This is a core question that many thoughtful people wrestle with, and John's statement certainly sounds exclusive. From John's perspective, Jesus is the unique revelation of God and the sole means of eternal life. This aligns with statements Jesus himself made (e.g., John 14:6, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me'). The Bible presents a consistent picture: salvation is found through faith in Jesus. How this applies to those who have never heard is a matter of intense theological discussion. Some believe God judges based on the light individuals have (Romans 1:20, 2:14-15), while others emphasize the necessity of explicit faith in Jesus for all. What John makes clear is the path to life for those who *do* hear the message and the certainty available to those who believe.
John says, 'We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin.' Yet, all believers clearly still sin. Is John being unrealistic, or does this mean true believers are actually sinless, which seems contrary to experience?
This statement is indeed often a point of confusion. John earlier writes, 'If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us' (1 John 1:8). The way to reconcile these statements is to understand 'sin' in two different senses. When John says 'whoever is born of God doesn't sin,' he is referring to a habitual, persistent, or defining lifestyle of sin. It means that sin no longer *dominates* or *defines* the believer's life as it once did. Being 'born of God' marks a fundamental change in allegiance and desire; the believer now belongs to God, not sin. It doesn't mean they achieve instantaneous perfection or never stumble, but that their orientation has changed, and they no longer willingly embrace a life of rebellion against God. The new spiritual birth fundamentally alters the trajectory of their life.
John tells us we can 'know that you have eternal life' but then also says 'you may continue to believe.' Why would he encourage continued belief if certainty is already established? Doesn't certainty make 'continued belief' unnecessary?
This isn't a contradiction but a recognition of how faith works in the real world. Knowing you have eternal life (assurance) isn't a one-time intellectual assent that removes all future challenges. John's community was facing false teachers who were actively trying to pull people away from the foundational truths about Jesus. In such an environment, assurance provides an anchor, but 'continuing to believe' is the ongoing act of living out that faith, resisting error, and remaining steadfast. It's like knowing you've bought a house; that knowledge gives you security, but you still have to live in it, maintain it, and keep it safe from external threats. Assurance gives peace, but continued belief provides perseverance in the face of pressures and distractions.
The Significance of 'Water and Blood'
The phrase "came by water and blood" (1 John 5:6) is a compact theological statement, likely countering a specific early heresy known as Docetism or an early form of Gnosticism. Docetists believed that Jesus only *appeared* to be human (from the Greek *dokein*, 'to seem'). They struggled with the idea that a divine being could genuinely inhabit a physical body, seeing matter as inherently evil. Therefore, they might have argued that the divine Christ-spirit united with the human Jesus at his baptism ('the water') but departed before his crucifixion ('the blood'), meaning Jesus didn't truly suffer or die. John's emphasis – "not with the water only, but with the water and the blood" – firmly asserts Jesus's full, continuous humanity and divinity throughout his earthly ministry, from his baptism to his death on the cross, making both events crucial for salvation.
The "water" could refer to Jesus's baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), where he was publicly identified as God's Son and inaugurated his public ministry. The "blood" clearly points to his crucifixion, the atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22). The Holy Spirit's testimony (verse 6) confirms the reality and truth of both these events and their significance. This triune witness – Spirit, water, blood – provides an irrefutable, unified testimony to the identity of Jesus as the true Son of God, fully God and fully man, whose entire life, death, and resurrection are essential for our salvation.