Bible Study Notes – 1 John 5:13-21

We conclude our study in 1 John which primarily teaches disciples how to live, individually and collectively, in the “beloved community” which the “Church” personifies.  The author, the Apostle John, “the Beloved Disciple” who also wrote the Gospel of John as well as the other two epistles and the book of Revelation, instructs believers on the practicality of living in fellowship with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ (the Logos and the Life) within a community of fellow believers. 

Each person, created in the image of God, possesses an intrinsic and unique ability to share God’s love with humankind.  The Bible in this grand First Epistle of John declares “God is love.”  He graciously embodies Himself and His love in each human life.  Conceivably, enlightenment occurs in our earthly journeys when we realize we born to share divine love with family, friends and neighbors.  By divine love, John means agape, the most supreme sacrificial, selfless, redemptive, healing and empowering love.  Following Christ’s example as the biblical writers detail in the gospel of John, Acts 10:34-43, Romans, 1 Corinthians 13, Philippians 2 and other New Testament passages, disciples demonstrate His love through a lifelong commitment of service which honors and glorifies our Lord and meets the direct and practical needs of humankind.  Disciples need the encouragement and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to faithfully serve as an instrument of God’s love. 

In this week’s passage, John offers a few “Concluding Remarks” for his fellow believers.  He reiterates his purpose in writing this epistle.  He reminds his followers of the need to maintain a vibrant and substantial prayer life.  Specifically, John comments on the necessity of intercessory prayer.  He finishes with a few points regarding a disciple’s knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Lastly, John warns the members of the beloved community to guard against idolatry which supplants any attempt to establish a genuine relationship with Almighty God. 

Consider the following ideas and questions as you study the passage.

Concluding Remarks – 1 John 5:13-21

• The Gospel of John and the apostle’s Epistles were written primarily to assist the younger Christians in the beloved community to better understand the Lord Jesus Christ.  The last remaining disciple instructs these relatively new believers about the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith.
• John says he writes so his fellow believers will enjoy the assurance of eternal life as they steadfastly believe in the Name and salvific work of Jesus Christ.  Again, John unequivocally insists this belief stipulates acceptance of the doctrine of the Incarnation.  Christ came in the flesh and dwelt amongst demonstrating the Father’s love, grace, truth, mercy and holiness.  Anyone who genuinely accepts these tenets of Christianity has eternal life.  Disciples do not have to fear whether they will receive this divine promise.
• In the fourteenth verse, John offers instruction on how to pray confidently.  Disciples can approach Almighty God in confidence when their petitions accord with His will.  When we ask to fulfill His will, He unquestionably hears us.  Practically speaking, John suggests his followers seek divine help by praying specifically for knowledge of God’s will and the spiritual empowerment to accomplish it.
• It stands to reason if God hears us, He answers us by granting our petitions.
• In the sixteenth verse, God expands his teaching on prayer to include intercessory prayer.  As Christians who live and worship in a covenantal community, we are our brother’s and sister’s keeper.  Should a brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, he or she receives the compassion and care of the church family as it relates to restoration.  In Matthew 18:15-20 and elsewhere in the New Testament, we have a model for a restorative process of conversations.
• Interestingly, John does not define “the sin that leads to death.”  What do we suspect it is?
• In the next verse, he allows the converse; there is sin that does not lead to death also.  To avoid the temptation to classifying sins with gradations as happens with secular laws such as felonies and misdemeanors, John asserts all sin is wrong.
• A vibrant and developing relationship with Almighty God is the best practical antidote to sin.  “Anyone born of God does not continue to sin.”  This verse reiterates his opening premise in the letter when John discusses the holy character of God which he describes as light.  Anyone relating to God honors His holiness and perfection.  Accordingly as we develop in discipleship, we relinquish character defects, personal preference and irreverent choices that offend God’s holy nature.  The Holy Spirit (John 14, 15 and 16 and 2 Corinthians 5:5) empowers us to live with integrity.
• In the nineteenth verse, John reminds his fellow believers of their inheritance as children of God whose lifestyles reflect a stark contrast with citizens of the world.  Christians live in the world but are citizens of a heavenly domain.  Arguably, one of the greatest threats to Christianity in the United States is the increasingly inability to distinguish between the values and principles of disciples and average citizens.  John warns his fellows against the danger of mixing the gospel and its commands with the secular teachings and practices of the Roman Empire.  Likewise, in twenty-first century America, we are wise to stand affirmatively and distinctly for the gospel of Jesus Christ regardless of the dominant culture’s pervasive values as perpetrated via television, radio, Internet and all other forms of social, economic and political media.  In the final analysis, the “evil one” controls the world.  It offers nothing of eternal value to any disciple.
• This Letter’s concluding verse reiterates the necessity of the doctrine of the Incarnation.  We rely upon the enduring and timeless truths of Christianity because our Lord and Savior came in the flesh.  He dwelt amongst humankind to demonstrate God’s covenantal love.  In relating to Jesus, we receive the clearest revelation of the Holy Father and Creator of the Universe.  Jesus reveals and personifies the One True and Living God who graciously and freely bestows eternal life upon anyone who believes.