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.  (2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.  (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. and His commandments are not burdensome. (4) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. (5) Who is he who overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  (6) This is He who came by water and blood- Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit who bears witness because the Spirit is truth. 

It is apparent that the world we live in is not as it was meant to be. But God promised a remedy and redemption in a Messiah – He appointed the only one who could be satisfactory; His only begotten Son. Jesus Christ accepted that office and all things are promised through Him. Jesus is the volunteer sent by the Father and all of the Bible is Christ centered.

We are told that because of the acceptable sacrifice of the cross those who believe in the Christ are justified and made right with God. This saving faith is above the reach of the human mind but is a gift from God. No one can get there on his/her own but by the Spirit of God only can we be reborn. In this first letter John the apostle is showing us what love is when we are transformed by the Spirit for we don’t truly love God if we don’t love each other. He is basically saying that love for God is the source and cause of love for each other. If we are truly reborn we will want to live in love and obedience – we want to behave as we believe.  And because of this our burden will be light indeed. Paul the apostle declared that he had learned to be content in all situations and that is certainly my ideal.

John tells us the way to overcome the temptations and stumbling blocks of this world is through faith, for the Spirit is our seal when we are reborn.  The Spirit removes fear – declares we are saved and beyond the reach of spiritual danger; gives us grace and courage when we need it. This doesn’t mean the faithful escape constant conflict but faith is not of one day. The Spirit in our lives is perpetual and we are already victorious. This confidence does not make us indifferent but bolder.  In Christ the divine is now our preoccupation.