Reading for December 5th is 1 John 5...
My thoughts on this reading...
One of the things I love about these letters of John is how often he recalls the words of Jesus and makes use of it in his writing. I've mentioned how he refers to the keeping the commandments, particularly the commandment to love one another, and to abide in Him and over and over again to love, as God has loved us. Another phrase that must have really stuck with John is what opens up this chapter as He speaks about overcoming the world. In John 16:33 Jesus tells his disciples not to fear, for He has overcome the world and after speaking of the importance of keeping the commandments and loving, he notes how our faith has overcome the world - faith that rests securely in Jesus Christ!
To further point out the importance of Christ he points to the testimony of the water the blood and the Spirit, and notes that that testimony we have in Christ leads to eternal life. Have Jesus? Have life!
As he did with his gospel where John says his reason for writing it was that we may life in Christ Jesus, he notes that he writes what he has in this letter so they might believe in Jesus and have eternal life. All of our requests are answered in Jesus Christ! As a final encouragement he speaks of not going on sinning, especially sin that leads to death. Instead we are to remain in the truth and hold to the promise that comes through Jesus Christ. And here again is old Apostle John encouraging his little children to stay away from idols and cling to Christ!