Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 John 5

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:

These are very simple words, but they contain a great depth of meaning. The teaching conveyed by this Epistle is very profound, though the language is such as even a child can understand. There must be faith in Jesus Christ as the anointed Son of God; otherwise, there is no new birth, no regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

And every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him (1 John 5:1).

If we love the Father, we love the Son. If we love God, we love all his people; all who are born into the divine family are the objects of our affection.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:

Not that we talk about our experience; not, that we use endearing expressions concerning the Saviour; not, that we are attentive to outward religious ordinances; but this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. A holy life is the best possible proof of true love to God.

And his commandments are not grievous.

To his people, they are charming; not grievous. They delight themselves in the law of God; and they only wish that they could be perfectly conformed to the divine will.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

Take comfort, believer, from that declaration. You have accepted Jesus as the Christ, the anointed of God, so the apostle affirms that you are born of God. It may be only lately that you have been born again; you may be only a babe in grace. But if you have a true faith in Christ as God’s anointed, you are born of God.

And every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1)

If you truly love God, you also love his well-beloved and only-begotten Son, and you also love all his children. There cannot be a true love for the Father and a hatred for his family; that is impossible.

Judge therefore by this test whether you love God or not.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.

Love is a practical thing; love without obedience is a mere pretense. True love shows itself by seeking to please the one who is loved. May God the Holy Ghost work in us perfect obedience to the commands of God, that we may prove that we really do love him!