5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? |
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. |
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. |
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. |
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. |
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. |
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. |
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. |
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. |
A Christian’s relationship with the world cannot be simple. The world has its familiar patterns and norms, and we, raised in ordinary families—even believing ones, but not holy ones—live within those norms. The desire for comfort, for psychological comfort, is simply embedded in us: to be like everyone else while feeling special, to be liked by those around us...
But for that we must be part of this world. Then we become slaves, because the world rejects those who do not obey its norms and prescriptions. Who cares why you do not fit the common pattern? No one. And if you merely say, “But I am not like you,” you easily fall under the power of the prince of this world, who catches you in the nets of pride...
Only one thing conquers the world and tears apart the nets that bind us: faith in Jesus Christ. When we act not for ourselves but in His name, He grants us freedom—freedom from the power of sin and of this world.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. |
"This testimony" is God's testimony about His Son. Judging by the context, this refers to the episode of Jesus' baptism (Matt. 3:16-17), when God's voice from heaven called Jesus the beloved Son. Let us notice the chain of witnesses that brings this news to us: the Father bears witness to the Son, John the Baptist bears witness to this to his disciples, and the disciples bear witness to this testimony to us through the Gospels. Testimony is the main way the good news is transmitted, because in it, for all its truth, there is no coercion of the listener.
What is this testimony about? "In Him is My good pleasure," that is, the good will of the Father is revealed in the Son. What, then, is this good will of God? Look at several passages: Ezek. 33:11, Matt. 18:14, John 3:16 - and you will see that God wants to deliver us from death and give eternal life. Therefore, in Jesus Christ the Father's will for eternal life for human beings is revealed: the Son of Man, passing through death into resurrection, ascended to the Father and abides forever at the Father's right hand. This means that our life can become eternal if we are united with Christ and allow Him to fill us with His presence and His life.
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. |
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. |
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. |
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. |
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. |
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. |
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. |
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. |
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: |
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. |
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. |
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. |
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. |
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. |
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. |
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. |
Today we read the fifth chapter, in which the apostle clarifies and develops his thought about discerning spirits. Once again, in somewhat different words, he offers a criterion for discernment, saying that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is born of God. This means that the birth of the Spirit about which we read at the beginning of the third chapter of John’s Gospel occurs at the moment when, regardless of how much or how little you know about Jesus, you say in your heart: He is God. Bewilderment and grumbling then fall away, and you no longer need any proof. You simply know that this Jesus, who came by water and blood, also came by the Holy Spirit, and that He is your God. What a miracle that He has made this birth available to us!
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that 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 grievous. |
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. |
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? |
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. |
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. |
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. |
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. |
Today’s reading brought back a rather unpleasant memory of school days... The teacher says confidently, “But the problem is quite easy!” while the pupil stares gloomily at the desk, knowing that he understands nothing... The apostle John tells us, “His commandments are not burdensome.” An inner voice replies, “Yes, you are a saint, you are an apostle; it is easy for you to say.” What is wrong with this comparison? Of course, it is the phrase “it is easy for you to say.” The apostle John speaks not as a teacher but as one of us. Is he a saint? Yes, but not because he possessed special “aptitudes for holiness.” We have no right to say that it was easy for him and that we lack the gift. Every saint was simply a human being, just like us. The Lord’s commandments are objectively not burdensome; we need only desire to fulfill them. Everything depends on our choice, on our free will, and the Lord gives grace in abundance.
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