Living a Balanced Life

(An In-Depth Study of First John)

Week 16

Commentary

Testimony

1 John 5:6-13

 Outline

What do you believe? This question is common. It is nearly always asked during every religious conversation. Whether the question is focused on the existence of God, or what really matters about a relationship with God, or how God fits in popular culture, people are curious about your opinion. In every case, you give testimony regarding what you believe to be true. Most Christians I know are eager to share the Gospel just as we are instructed by the Great Commission.

However, receiving the opinion of fellow humans should only be valued by the limited knowledge from which they were formed. Case in point: My grandson is four. He loves trucks. He can tell you a great many facts about trucks. He spends a great deal of his time each day at play with a whole fleet of them; fire trucks, dump trucks, semi trucks, and many, many more. He knows what they are used for and what type of people drive them. If I were going to start a construction company and wanted to purchase an excavator, I wouldn’t ask my grandson’s opinion as to which excavator to buy. He has no ‘real’ experience with excavators. His opinion will most likely be based on very limited and bias facts.

I think it is safe to say that most opinions about God held by those around us, of which we ask opinion of, are nearly as limited and bias as my grandson’s opinion of excavators. That being said, I think a better question than… “What do you believe?” …would be… “What does God say about Himself?”  An exciting thought about responding to a friend’s inquiry about God is the fact that God does give testimony about Himself. In our text, John records the testimony of God regarding His Son. There is not only one witness regarding Jesus, but three; the Water, the Blood, and the Spirit. These three witnesses are not only completely reliable but they are in total agreement.

As a Christian, this understanding of God’s testimony about His Son enables me to give the best answer possible to the question “what do you believe?” After all, I never need rely on my opinion. I never have to answer that question by beginning, “I think”…  The point of our text is to give every Christian the proper testimony about God and His Son. God loves us and has revealed Himself to us through His Word. God states clearly and to the point about having a proper relationship with Him (the Father) through Jesus (the Son).

John has again stressed the importance of believing in Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah. Eternal life is not possible apart from such belief. The words of Jesus once again ring true, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Testimony Concerning the Son of God (vs 6-8)

Water – Jesus’ Baptism (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32)

Blood – Jesus’ Crucifixion (Matthew 27:50-54)

Spirit – Pentecost (Acts 2:22-33)

Testimony of Men and God (vs 9-10)

• Testimony of God is greater
• Testimony of God is the only truth
• To accept another testimony is to call God a liar

Eternal Life (vs 11-13)

• God’s testimony is eternal life through the Son
• One way of Redemption (Salvation) (John 14:6)
• God’s testimony offers assurance

LIFE APPLICATION

God testifies for Himself perfectly, no need for “I think” attitude

Our assurance rests on the testimony of God the Father toward the Son of God

Goal of the Son of God:

Liberate His people

Glorify His name