Jesus: The World-Overcomer and Ultimate Reality

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? 6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. -1 John 5:1-12 (ESV)

As John begins wrapping up his epistle, he connects three themes that he has given in-length commentary on earlier: obedience (vv. 2-4), right belief about Jesus Christ (vv. 5-12), and love (v. 1). John wants to make sure that we do not forget the wonderful and precious truths he has already extrapolated.

John has noted multiple times that true believers in Jesus will persist in growing holiness, love, and sound doctrine. But… he knows we will falter. We will fail. We will be tempted to be driven to despair. But there’s Good News! In Christ, “the victory that has overcome the world” is ours (v. 4)!

How can we be assured of this? Jesus proved it when He came by “water and the blood” (v. 6). Commentators debate exactly what it is that John is saying here. Some say that John is referring to Christ’s affirming baptism and atoning death (cf. Matt. 3:16). Others say this is referring to Jesus’ birth and Incarnation “in water” (i.e., the amniotic fluid he subsided in while in Mary’s womb; cf. John 3:4-8). I personally think this a clear nod to the New Covenant of Ezekiel 36:25-27 where Jesus enables his followers to be “sprinkled with clean water” and given a “new heart and new spirit.”

Regardless, the implication is clear: because the acts of Jesus are rooted in our reality, since He ACTUALLY died, ACTUALLY rose again from the dead, ACTUALLY ascended to the Father and sent His Spirit, and will ACTUALLY return to set up His Kingdom on Earth, we have nothing to fear! We are “hyper-conquerors” in Jesus (compare vv. 4-5 and Rom. 8:37-39)!

So, be encouraged. If you struggle with loving others, breaking particular commands, or even struggle with belief in Jesus, take heart! Jesus is able to transform you so that these things will no longer be burdensome (v. 3).

Take a moment and ask the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to transform your sense of duty into delight. Ask Him to help you grow in love, obedience, and belief. Lastly, praise His name for His Glorious redemptive acts in history that were rooted in His love for you!