(1 John 5) Whoever Believes

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him." (1 John 5:1)

Introduction

"Whoever believes" means that God extends the invitation to all to put their faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. This change of heart and life, which God does, brings you into the family of God. It makes you a child of God, by faith in Christ. Whoever believes in Christ is a child of God.

1 The Children of God have a personal relationship with God.

1. of love to God (verse 2)
2. of obedience to God (verse 2)
3. of love to all God's children (verses 1 & 2)
4. of faith in God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (verses 4 & 5)
5. of gifts from God
   1. The gift of God's testimony about Christ, (verse 10; Matthew 3:16-17)
   2. The gift of answered prayer (verses 14-15)
   3. The gift of understanding (verse 20)
   4. The gift of eternal life (verse 11)
   5. The gift of union with God (verse 20)
6. 1 John 5:20 "We are in Him" What does this mean? It means "oneness with Jesus," a "Heaven-formed union between my soul and Jesus," "I am my Lord's and He is mine," I am " partaker of His nature," and a "member of His body."

To illustrate this truth the Lord Jesus "compares Himself to a vine." "I am the vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5) "Your souls were indeed dead and withered, but living faith made you one with Me - made you partaker of My life and joy. As the sapless twig lives when united to the vine, so you live when united to Me." We must maintain this blessed union with the Saviour to be in Him. (From The Wesleyan Methodist Magazine for 1865, page 206).

2 The Children of God know the Son of God

1. He is the Christ (verse 1)
2. He is Jesus (verses 1 & 5)
3. He is witnessed to by God the Father (verses 9 & 10)
4. He is the source of eternal life (verse 11 & 20)
5. He is the One Who hears us (when we ask according to His will) (verse 14)
6. He is the One Who has come to be mankind's only Saviour (verse 20)
7. He is the One Who has given us understanding (verse 20)
8. He is the true God (verse 20)

3 The Children of God live a life of victory

1. Obey God's commandments because of God's love in our hearts (verse 2)
2. Love all God's people (verse 1)
3. Overcome the world by faith in Christ (verse 14)
4. Continue to believe in Christ (verse 13)
5. Pray for brothers who are sinning (verse 16)
6. When we are born of God, we do not sin (verse 18)
7. Guard ourselves from the wicked one (verse 18)
8. We are in Christ (verse 20)
9. We keep ourselves from idols (verse 21)

Conclusion

God does all these things in the lives of His children and much more than this. But, are you truly a child of God today? Are you truly "in Christ" this very moment, or are you like the withered vine branch, severed from the life of Christ in your soul?

Be encouraged. "Whoever believes" is God's call to you today, to put your faith in Christ alone.

If you are truly "in Christ" today, but need more spiritual life in your soul to be a growing child of God - take advantage of all the means of grace available to you: such as, prayer and Bible reading at the start of each day, attend a Bible study here during the week and serve the Lord in some way in this church.

The Lord Jesus wants to be real and precious to you, where He means everything to you. You already are unspeakably precious to Him.