Like mother, like daughter - E atagia le tinā i le afafine

Scripture Focus: 1 Ioane 5:1-13

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. Who is he who 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. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three who testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified concerning his Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn’t believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
- 1 John 5:1-13 (WEB)

Study:

This passage from 1 John highlights the powerful relationship between faith, love, obedience, and eternal life. The faith that believes in Jesus as the Son of God is the faith that overcomes the world. This victory is not through human effort, but through the new birth given by God — a spiritual rebirth. Loving God naturally extends to loving His children and keeping his commandments, which are not burdensome. The testimony of Jesus Christ is attested by water, blood, and the Spirit, emphasizing the reliability of God's word. Believers are assured of eternal life because the life of God is in His Son, and those who have Jesus have life.

Application:

For us today, this passage encourages us to continually affirm our faith in Jesus as the Son of God. Our love for God must manifest in loving others and obeying His commandments with joy rather than reluctance. When challenges arise, we can be confident that our faith enables us to overcome the world's struggles. The assurance of eternal life strengthens our walk with Christ, motivating us to trust and obey Him daily. Like a mother’s character often reflects in her daughter, our new birth in Christ should be evident in how we live and love.

Reflection Questions:

• How does my faith in Jesus shape my daily decisions and actions?
• In what ways do I show love to God’s children around me?
• What commandments of God do I find hardest to obey, and how can I grow in that area?
• Do I fully embrace the assurance of eternal life through Christ in my heart?
• How can I better witness to others about the victory that faith in Jesus brings?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of faith that grants us victory over the world. Help us to love You with all our hearts and to love others as You love us. Strengthen us to obey Your commandments with joy, knowing that through You we have eternal life. May our lives reflect Your truth and grace daily. In Your name, Amen.

Tags: faith in Jesus, eternal life, 1 John 5, love God, obeying commandments, victory over the world, testimony of Jesus, born of God, Christian faith, Bible study