We testify that Jesus is the Savior
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. 1 John 4:13-14 CSB
John from verse 12 says, “We remain in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.” John once again emphasizes what he has been previously discussing regarding the love we manifest to one another. Love for one another proves that God’s love is in us. This love of God living in us provides us confidence that we belong to Christ. God’s love is made complete through us by the power of the Holy Spirit, guiding us to love as God loves. It proves that we are in God because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. The ability to obey God and to live our lives abiding in His Word is through the presence of the Holy Spirit living in us. “The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us” (1 John 3:24). The Spirit of God pours our God’s love in us. “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). The Spirit of God, together with the Father and the Son work within us. “He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior.” Then, John states that he and the other apostles personally saw Jesus and can testify of His life in verse 14: “And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world’s Savior.” Mentioned in previous weeks, some false teachers claimed they experienced exclusive mystical knowledge of God which led to their salvation. John stating that he had seen and spent time with Jesus invalidates their claim, as well as establishing the only path of salvation through confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord (see John 14:6). It is probable that John was talking about his experience when Jesus was baptized in Jordan River, where the Spirit descended in the form of a dove and the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Lord Jesus Christ was sent into the world for the salvation of those who will place their trust in Him. The apostles were given the opportunity to witness the life of our Lord Jesus Christ so they could continue to declare the gospel. The people of Sychar after they heard the testimony of the Samaritan woman went to see Jesus and they said, “we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). The apostles and the disciples preach Jesus the Savior for they saw and were convinced that salvation is in Christ alone. “God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). “As he promised, God brought to Israel the Savior, Jesus” (Acts 13:23).
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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