Born of God
Today’s Verse
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. ~1 John 5:1
Being born means being the product of birth. It implies that life was produced. The Bible uses different phrases such as “born of a woman,” “born of water and of the Spirit,” “born again,” and “born of God.” The phrase “born of God” distinguishes a birth as being from God. It is speaking of spiritual birth and not natural birth. This phrase is only found in 1 John and is used six different times. What does it mean to be born of God?
We see the means.
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” A person is born of God when he repents of his sin and, by faith, believes that Jesus Christ is God’s sinless Son Who died for our sins and rose again from the dead. Faith believes that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. Believing in the name of Jesus Christ as God and Saviour for salvation delivers us from the penalty of sin. That’s why Paul said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
We see the manifestation.
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.” The key manifestation that we are born of God is love. First, we love God. We love God because He first loved us. Loving God is doing what pleases God. It is the desire for spending time with God. It is the desire for doing things for God. Then, there is a love for fellow Christians. Loving other Christians is the desire to fellowship with them, to serve them, and to participate with them. Jesus said that the world will know that we are His disciples by our love for one another.
We see the mandate.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” His commandments govern us. Our love for God is demonstrated by our obedience to His commandments. If we do not obey and keep His commandments, we are showing a disrespect to God and His holy Word. Jesus tells us, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” His commandments are not grievous. They were not given to hurt us, but to bless and protect us. They are not hard to understand, nor are they difficult to obey, as long as we subject ourselves to His will.
We see the mastery.
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Being born of God gives us mastery over the world and its allurements. We are born in victory. The word “overcome” means to conquer. We can obey God’s Word because He has made us overcomers. We can love other Christians because we are overcomers. We can overcome temptations because we are born as conquerors.
Being born of God gives us a place, a privilege, and a power. Let His love work in you. If you are born of God, claim the victory that you have in Him. Have you been born of God?
Have a blessed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Judges 13-15