Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.  (2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.  (3) For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome.  (4) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. (5) Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This letter was written by the Apostle John and addresses the salvation of the faithful in Christ. This letter concerns NOT the way of salvation but rather evidence that we ARE saved.  All Christians must (should) wonder if we are authentic Christians – if we have true faith and have been reborn in Christ Jesus.

If we have truly been reborn and become the new man or woman, our transformation will be evident. Our belief will guide our behavior and signs of this behavior will be faith in the work of Christ Jesus, love for our fellow man and an increased And joyful living of a holy life.  A holy life is one that is lived for our spiritual growth, not for our temporal welfare – a drawing apart from the things of this world.   Faith is from God and John is saying that faith is a result of a new birth, not the cause of it. Faith is the evidence of a new birth – it has a clearly observable result, where the emphasis is not on our faith but on the object of our faith.

Love for God and His children is another sign of our rebirth. This love is a choice, not an  emotional  reaction.  It is not about feelings but about decisions.   We cannot divorce our love for God from love for His children – it is not relative not is it cultural.

John in today’s verses is all about signs and the third sign of true belief is we do not find Gods  commandments a burden. Living a holy life in this sinful world is not easy –  we have a sinful nature. But if we are saved truly in Christ we have already overcome the world. we have already turned to God. We are now free people in Christ and are no longer of this world.

Jesus tells us to be of good cheer – that He has overcome the world. In Christ we also will overcome the world and John writes to provide assurance of our salvation.