FINAL THOUGHTS IN 1 JOHN

The Testimony to Eternal Life
1 John 5:11-12

God’s testimony to us, in addition to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, is that God gave us eternal life in his Son. That again is the message of John 3:16. Whoever has the Son has life. Those who do not have the Son do not have life.

When Martha confronted Jesus about the death of her brother, Lazarus, Jesus told her ““I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25)

No other provision is made by God for eternal life!

Jesus said this clearly: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

Peter also said this clearly: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Conclusion
5:19-21

In conclusion, John said he wrote the letter to give assurance of salvation. He wrote so they would know they had eternal life, despite anything the false teachers might say.

In addition to eternal life, we have confidence toward God so that he will hear all of our prayers that are given in accordance with his will, and he will grant those requests.

There are those who teach that God will let a believer go astray, out of his will, even though the believer is earnestly seeking God. I do not agree with this. If we pray according to his will, he will grant our requests. He does not make that promise for things that are out of his will. He may not grant those.

As part of prayers, our asking, we should pray for those who commit sins that do not lead to death. He is speaking of believers whom we observe sinning. John says if we do, God will give them life. God will answer prayers for those in sin, granting repentance, cleansing, and resurrection on the last day.

But, God will not give life to those who reject Christ, believing and teaching falsely about him. A lack of saving faith cannot be forgiven. (16) He is likely referring to those who left the church and teach that Jesus did not come in the flesh and did not have to die for our sins.

A further confidence that those who are born of God do not live a life of continual sin, because God protects the believer from the evil one. (17) We, the believers, are born of God and receive this protection. Jesus is stronger that Satan and can protect us from him. Jesus prayed this for us also, in John 17:12-15, asking God to protect the disciples from the evil one.

There are those who believe the devil is responsible for our sin. Some will even claim they have a demon of lust or a demon of envy. But believers are protected from the evil one. So, you may be tempted, but you cannot be overcome by the devil.

James 4:7 says “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Jesus modeled this when he was tempted in the wilderness. Although he has fasted for 40 days, he resisted each of Satan’s temptations by believing and quoting the Scripture. And Satan fled from him. (Matthew 4)

But, believers can still be tempted and still sin. James placed the blame for sin squarely on the individual. He said “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth too sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:15-15)

But those in the world, who do not believe, do not have this protection, and are under the power and influence of the evil one. (19)

We can understand this things because we are in Christ, who gives us understanding. (20) He is true, he is the true God, and he is eternal life. He has given us the ability to understand this.

Since we know him who is true, we must keep ourselves from any belief, attitude, or practice that stands in the place of Jesus. Anything less than faith in him as the Son of God is idolatry. (21)