The one who overcomes believes; the one who believes, loves - part 2

We have a unique opportunity (which the Scriptures afford to us) to gain advice and wisdom by looking and learning from the examples of old. Looking at verse 1 of 1 John 5: “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.” It is very important to note that, this verse, in the Greek, is to be read in the present tense: “Everyone who (is) believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who (is consumed with) loving the Father (is also currently actively loving) loves whoever has (also been born, as you have) been born of Him.” Emphasis was added by using ( ). This is also written in the present tense because it is a continual belief in Jesus the Christ, not a past belief. It is the same as: Everyone who is living an active faith….
 

Far too often the church can seem to get caught up with the wrong perspective by declaring, “I have already accepted Jesus as my Savior.” However, a correct perspective for the overcoming believer is to be, “I am, right now and always will be, accepting Jesus as my Savior always.” Not “I was saved,” but “I was saved, and I am being saved.” That is, at least, on this side of eternity you can say this. 
 

“Believing” in Jesus is a direct result of our “having been born of God” and therefore becomes an “assessment” or a type proof of that new birth. Verse 2 continues, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments.” 
 

This statement causes us trouble because it reverses what is expected. We often like to read it as: “And this is how we know that we love God: by loving His children and obeying His commands.” But, instead, John concludes: “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands.” 1 John 5:2 
 

Even as one cannot love God without loving His children, it is also impossible to truly love the children of God without also loving God. As active believers in the deity of Jesus the Savior, if we claim we love our brother and not God, we are not truly recognizing our brother as one who has also been born of God, and we do not offer him the true love that comes only from the Father. “If love to men proves the worth of our love to God, love to God proves the worth of our love to men” – G. G. Findley.

Continued tomorrow