1 Jn 5:1-13
Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and every one who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree.
If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has borne witness to his Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne to his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life. I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
It is only through the Holy Spirit that we can recognize Jesus as the Lord, the Christ, and the Son of God. This realization differs from the view that sees Jesus merely as a master, prophet, or wise man. Those who have not yet come to this understanding are, as John puts it, not yet “begotten of God.”
However, this realization is essential if we are to understand God’s plan of salvation and follow it consciously. When engaging in dialogue with representatives of other religions, it must be clear that our goal is to remove obstacles to such knowledge. The aim of loving God and neighbor is that all may come to know the truth. Losing sight of this goal would deprive interreligious dialogue of its deepest meaning and lead to confusion among believers. Moreover, we would be withholding from others what God has intended for all people.
The truth of Christ’s teachings should be evident in our love. First, we show our love for God by keeping His commandments. John emphasizes that this is not difficult. This may suggest that if we live in grace and remain in it, the Lord’s help is strong enough to follow His commandments.
Let us listen to the voice of the Church: “If anyone says that the commandments of God are impossible for man to keep, even for the justified and for those who are under grace, let him be excluded” (Council of Trent, 6th Session, Canon 18). This also shows that faith conquers the world, because for the believer, keeping the commandments becomes natural. In the grace of the Lord, those born of God overcome the difficulties and challenges that seek to hinder them.
Being “begotten of God” means we love those united with us in Christ and follow the Lord as children of God.
John clearly seeks to strengthen the Church, as faith is repeatedly attacked from within by false teachers. It stands to reason that John expressed these truths so plainly in response to those who denied that Jesus is the Christ. He underscores the testimony of God to His Son even more emphatically: “There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree.”
We can understand the water as a symbol of the rebirth given to us in baptism. The blood signifies reconciliation, for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb 9:22). The Holy Spirit testifies to the truths of faith and makes present what Jesus said and did (cf. John 14:26).
Therefore, God has borne witness to His Son, and it is true that anyone who believes in the Son of God carries this testimony within themselves. In this way, we too become living witnesses to God’s saving work through His Son, which is to be carried into the world. John reiterates this point with characteristic clarity: “Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son.”
The Christians to whom the Apostle John writes are well equipped by him to remain faithful, and he assures them at the end: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Reflection on today’s reading: https://en.elijamission.net/2019/06/23/
Reflection on today’s Gospel: https://en.elijamission.net/johns-testimony-2/
