What does "born of God" mean in the context of 1 John 5:18? The Verse in Focus “We know that everyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.” (1 John 5:18) What “Born of God” Is Not • Not a mere label we take on ourselves • Not a human decision or family heritage (John 1:12-13) • Not temporary or reversible What “Born of God” Is • A literal new birth—an act of God that imparts new spiritual life (John 3:3-8) • Adoption into God’s family with a new nature that desires holiness (2 Corinthians 5:17) • The indwelling “seed” of God that changes our relationship to sin (1 John 3:9) How the New Birth Happens • Through faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:1) • By the washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) • Through the living and enduring Word of God (1 Peter 1:23) Marks of Those Born of God • Freedom from habitual, unrepentant sin (1 John 3:9; 5:18) • Genuine love for God and fellow believers (1 John 4:7) • Victorious faith that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4) • Obedience to God’s commands, not as burden but delight (1 John 5:3) Protection by the Son • “The One who was born of God” refers to Jesus, eternally begotten of the Father • He “protects” the reborn believer; the evil one “cannot touch” what Christ guards (John 10:28-29) • This protection assures perseverance but does not remove the call to vigilance (Ephesians 6:11) Victory over Sin and the Evil One • Sin’s dominion is broken; we still stumble, but we no longer live in it (Romans 6:14) • Satan may tempt, yet he cannot sever the believer from Christ (1 John 4:4) • Our role: walk in the light, confess quickly, and rely on Christ’s advocacy (1 John 2:1-2) Living as God’s Children • Pursue holiness because a new nature now longs for it (1 Peter 1:15-16) • Feed on Scripture, the very means God used to bring the new birth (James 1:18) • Love sacrificially; it is the family resemblance of those born of God (John 13:34-35) Scriptures to Revisit This Week John 1:12-13 " John 3:3-8 " 1 John 3:9 " 1 John 4:7 " 1 John 5:1-5 " 1 Peter 1:23 " Titus 3:5 |
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