William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 John 5:1 - 5:1

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 John 5:1 - 5:1


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Observe here, 1. The grand proposition laid down as the object of our faith, namely, that Jesus is the Christ; that is, that Jesus of Nazareth, who was born with, and lived amongst the Jews, was the Saviour of the world, the person whom Moses and the prophets foretold to be the Messiah.

Observe, 2. The duty required of us, namely, to believe that Jesus is the Christ; that is, not historically only, to assent that Jesus is the predicted and promised Messiah, but to express the truth of that faith in a suitable conversation.

Observe, 3. How evidential such a faith is of our regeneration; whosoever thus believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God; faith in Christ Jesus, as the great King, Priest, and Prophet of his church, accompanied with a holy life, is a sure mark and undoubted evidence of our new birth. Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God.

Observe, 4. The affection which every person that is born of God bears unto God, He loveth him that begat; this is the ingratiating and endearing quality; it is this that commends both our persons and performances to God's acceptation; the service of love is therefore most acceptable, because most honourable to God, and most durable and lasting from us; the obedience of love will be lasting.

Observe, 5. What is the genuine effect, and natural product of this love to God, namely, a sincere affection to all the children of God: Whosoever loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him, every Christian that sincerely loves God, certainly loves the image of God in his saints and children; he that loves the father for his own sake, cannot but love the child for his father's sake, if like him, and the more like him, the more he loves him: He that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him.