Life|Love
1 John 5:1-12
We have a testimony in water, blood and the Spirit. We are baptized! The old life is gone, and the new one has come. We sacrifice for the sake of others. We have God’s Spirit, a spirit of love and unconditional commitment to another. We are born of God.
Daily Prayer: Dear God, give me faith in your Son so that I may be more like him. Amen.
Monday, June 1
Read 1 John 5:1-12. Focus on verse 1. Who is Jesus? How we answer that question says a lot about us. How would you answer someone who asked you who Jesus is? What are the first few words out of your mouth? For more, see Romans 10:1-10.
Tuesday, June 2
Read 1 John 5:1-12. Focus on verses 2-3. Seems pretty easy! Love God, follow his commands. What is the command of God? (See 1 John 4:21) What is happening in our hearts when we find those commands burdensome? What should we do about that? For more, see Matthew 22:34-40.
Wednesday, June 3
Read 1 John 5:1-12. Focus on verses 4-5. Are we being overcome by the world when we find God’s commands burdensome? What is it about faith in Jesus that overcomes the world? For more, see Luke 11:14-23.
Thursday, June 4
Read 1 John 5:1-12. Focus on verses 6-8. John is using some heavy symbolism here. Try this. Substitute “water” with “baptism,” “blood” with “sacrifice,” and “Spirit” with “unconditional love.” Do we have these things too? How do all these things testify to our faith? For more, see John 19:31-37. How does this interpretation bring additional meaning to Jesus’ crucifixion?
Friday, June 5
Read 1 John 5:1-12. Focus on verses 9-11. The testimony of God is in us as believers! What is that testimony? How does that belief make us radically different than the rest of the world? For more, see 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.
Saturday, June 6
Read 1 John 5:1-12. Focus on verse 12. What kind of “life” do you think John is talking about? What does this life have to do with the eternal life he just spoke about? Describe life with the Son of God verses the lack of life without. For more, see John 10:1-10.
Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN – bethelstpaul.com