Introduction

Good day to all. I am gratified to have finally reached the last chapter of 1 John, and I believe I have a clearer understanding of it than before. The venerable John can be likened to Lao Tzu, the author of the Tao Te Ching. It would be beneficial to comprehend what John has written. Perhaps many are unaware, but I find the diction and vocabulary in each chapter of 1 John to be quite peculiar, such as water, blood, and Spirit, which can be somewhat unsettling. Indeed, there exists a sect known as the Blood and Water Spirit faction. It is easy, in my view, to distort something.

Themes in 1 John

Let us revisit the themes of 1 John. The central theme of 1 John chapter 5 is This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. This is a particularly apt statement. The entirety of 1 John concerns triumph. What constitutes triumph, and how does one achieve it? Many among us are named Victory, yet are not particularly triumphant. I have observed that those named Victory often lack triumph, and those named Joy often lack joy, and those named Hannah are so named because they are unlike Hannah. Upon hearing the word victory, some may contemplate changing their names. However, there is no need to do so; simply study 1 John chapter 5 diligently. You will find that I prefer to simplify complex matters, making them comprehensible to both young and old.

The venerable John was highly skilled. His writings are difficult to grasp without some ability. The first chapter discusses the original Word of Life. In reality, we are all sinners, relegated to the ranks of the hopeless and doomed, having lost the original Word of Life. However, Jesus Christ has revealed the original Word of Life, enabling us to prevail through it. Speaking of the original Word of Life, I am reminded of the Tao Te Ching: The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. If the Tao can be explained, it is not the eternal Tao.

I find this sentiment particularly applicable to Jesus. The original Word of Life has become a Tao that can be explained, rather than an ordinary Tao. Simply put, it is a Tao of faith, one that is visible, tangible, and manifest. Through faith in this Tao, we can bear witness to Jesus Christ. How do we receive this Tao? By beginning with repentance. It seems quite clear now, although the venerable John's language is somewhat obscure.

The second chapter discusses that abiding forever through obeying the original Word of Life, resolving the issue of eternal life. We are all without eternal life and without hope. The day before yesterday, we attended the funeral of an elderly man with whom I had dined two months prior. One cannot witness the cremation of the body, and the urn is presented to the family in a place called the Welcoming Hall. It is unclear from where a handful of ashes is retrieved, and this is called receiving the spirit. Having become ashes, there is little hope left; past loves and hates have all turned to dust, becoming wisps of smoke. Modern crematoria no longer produce even a wisp of smoke. Previously, towering chimneys belched smoke into the sky, signaling that another person had turned to vapor. Today, environmental protection is paramount, and one does not even know which ashes one is receiving, and even the smoke has been eradicated, leaving nothing in the end.

Thus, we must recognize that God's will is for us to abide forever, to obey the Lord's precepts, and to discern between the world's logic system and God's logic system, between the logic system of this life and the logic system of eternal life. Then to lead us to a life lived for God, called anointing, or called Mingding Destiny. The most crucial aspect of the Tao of eternal life is to love one another; this is both a commandment and the core of the Tao.

The reason for the inability to love one another is nitpicking and focusing excessively on the trivialities of this life. Some inquire whether they should litigate over their father's estate after his death. I respond, Why squabble over those few bills of spirit money? From the perspective of one living in eternal life, currency, whether red or green, is regarded as spirit money in the eyes of God. We possess the Tao of eternal life, capable of abiding forever; do not dispute, quarrel, contend, or seize things that cannot enter eternal life. It is meaningless.

Some worry about paying the electricity bill tomorrow and the rent the day after, which depends on what one pursues. If the original Word of Life resides in your heart, and you have become a child of God, it is impossible to live poorly. Mutual love is the Tao; otherwise, our fisticuffs will ultimately turn to vapor or ashes, devoid of meaning. If one could view a person's life on earth from the perspective of God's throne, it would seem laughable. A cancer patient we once served has already passed away. A person comes into this world, utters a burp, releases a fart, and then it is over—what the vernacular calls kicked the bucket.

Therefore, the original, eternal Word of Life is meant to make us see through the nature of living, and then we will know how to love one another. The perplexities of love and sin are the problems that our original Word of Life aims to resolve. If one receives everything one asks of God, and one's every sustenance, provision, and comfort is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, what is there to fight over? Why seize anything? People seize because they are uncertain of having food and drink in the future. In essence, people pursue whatever aligns with their logic system.

In the fourth chapter, we discuss overcoming the Antichrist and false prophets. The Antichrist and false prophets lead people away from mutual love and towards the pursuit of worldly things. Why do people worship idols? Some run large enterprises and place idols in their lobbies. The owners lead their employees in praying before the idols, seeking the continued success of their businesses. Yet, despite their entreaties, the enterprises fail. People worship idols to have their needs met, but their needs are worldly, and they are ignorant of the inevitability of death. They live to live, and thus they worship idols for the sake of living.

If one possesses the Word of Eternal Life, the original Word of Life, how could one live poorly? The original Word of Life is a Tao of giving, of continuous giving. The world is most in need of those who continuously give, and it has no shortage of those who absorb into themselves, who seek to gain from others. The problem lies in people's inner logic system. Our God is a God of giving, and if we possess His likeness, all problems will be resolved. Some argue that giving everything away makes it impossible to live, but in reality, it is entirely possible. God will provide for you; He lacks nothing.

Love being perfected in us is to overcome the Antichrist and false prophets. It is our faith within us that enables us to triumph. To abide by the original Word of Life is to abide forever. To love one another in accordance with the Word of Life is the very core of the Word of Life, overcoming the Antichrist and false prophets who entice us to stray from this Tao. If you do not believe, questioning heaven and hell, and deeming tangible wealth more important, then you are in trouble. Now, as we come to the fifth chapter, it is our faith within us that enables us to triumph. However, the question arises: how difficult is it to triumph, to adhere to the Tao of mutual love, and to overcome the Antichrist? Do you all share this sentiment?

God's Commandments Are Not Burdensome

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:1-3).

Truly, God's commandments are not burdensome. Yet some always find it difficult to obey God's commandments, even to discern good from evil. To them, I can only reply: Silly you! Everyone should learn this expression from me. I say this because they do not understand what is loss and what is gain. Once God's commandments are obeyed, one receives benefits. Why should something that benefits you be so arduous? You do not believe in that which benefits you. Thus, it is not a matter of whether it is difficult to obey, but of whether you believe or not.

Believing that obeying God's commandments is beneficial to oneself eliminates the need for persuasion. Obey diligently, for it is rewarding, not only in this life but also in eternal life. Such a good thing will certainly no longer require dragging, pulling, kicking, or shoving. The key to upholding God's commandments lies in belief or disbelief. Do not assume that obeying God's commandments is complicated; I prefer to simplify complex matters. I reduce the Tao of Eternal Life to two things: belief and disbelief. If you believe that it is beneficial to you, all will be well. If you do not believe, you will feel compelled to take advantage of others to survive.

Therefore, belief makes obedience effortless. Why are people so easily deceived? Because they perceive it as an opportunity. That is why I call them foolish, so easily taken in. Some people spend their entire lives oscillating between pre-liberation and post-liberation conditions because they are foolish, unaware of the abundant glory and grace in God's kingdom. Loving the world has already caused enough losses and sins, so why continue to love the world? Because not loving the world feels like a loss. In reality, God's Tao is not difficult to obey; it is truly all about gaining advantages.

The reason I am willing to give is because I know that giving is highly advantageous. Some say that giving people are foolish, but in reality, they have it backward. Serving is not giving, but receiving; working is not giving, but receiving; giving is not giving, but receiving. Some ask how my understanding can be the opposite of theirs. It seems we must debate who is right and who is wrong. Sometimes I find it difficult to persuade such people, and I feel compelled to show them my face. I have a very shrewd face; I am not trying to deceive anyone. Those accustomed to keenness develop a sharp face. In the eyes of others, I am not foolish, so how could I possibly do something they consider foolish? In reality, I have already reasoned out what I do. It is a good thing that yields advantages; they simply do not believe it.

Therefore, this Tao of Eternal Life, the original Word of Life, is not burdensome to obey, triumph is not so difficult, and mutual love is not difficult at all. I have served one person after another, and each time I internally deem them foolish, I must rephrase it and package it with euphemisms, but the underlying meaning remains the same. Our brothers and sisters must recognize how wonderful this original Word of Life is. It is truly unparalleled, resolving many problems effortlessly. We have solved the healthcare issue, never having to worry about medical expenses for life, simply by using the Word of Life. Some, however, obtain the Tao of sickness instead of the Tao of Life. If you obtain the Tao of sickness while I obtain the Tao of Life, there is a vast difference between the two. Do not tread the path of sickness; we walk the path of Life, from which we obtain everything, as if possessing a cornucopia.

The Victory That Has Overcome the World

To overcome your illness, you must switch from the Tao of sickness to the Tao of Life. This sounds promising. Why were we so prone to illness? Because we were walking the Tao of sickness. Without triumph, we are pressed to the ground and battered by demons, leaving us bloodied and battered. Why must we reach this point? Because our faith is misplaced, believing in the Tao of sickness. To triumph, we must believe in this Tao of Life. If you do not believe, you can conduct an experiment and then discuss it with me. I have completed this experiment and discovered that believing that Jesus is the Son of God is truly wonderful. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. We have cast out countless demons, all through the name of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ is truly powerful.

Believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, will you become a son of God? Originally, in eternity, there is a Tao of Life that will lead us on the path of becoming sons of God. How did Jesus walk the path of becoming the Son of God? Jesus Christ was born under the law yet fulfilled all righteousness, including being baptized in water. Jesus is the Son of God and did not need to be baptized, so John the Baptist baptized Him, which has caused us confusion. In reality, Jesus, being the Son of God, did not need to repent, but He set an example for us, urging us to repent as He did. This is called the testimony of water, the testimony of repentance.

Next is the operation of faith. Jesus Christ mortified His own flesh, shed blood and sacrificed Himself, nailing His own flesh to the cross. This is what we must believe. Furthermore, regarding the testimony of water and the testimony of blood, the testimony of water is repentance; the testimony of blood is paying the price, which is offering one's own life to God. There is also the Holy Spirit, who filled Jesus Christ without measure. From then on, Jesus gained power and began His ministry, with miracles and wonders filling His service. This is called water, blood, and the Holy Spirit, which is called testimony.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The Holy Spirit will guide you into all the truth, and the Holy Spirit is also the word of God, every word carrying power. Now the scriptures are connected. I am quite impressed with what old John put together. Water, blood, and the Holy Spirit sound like a cult at first, quite frightening. If he explained that water is repentance, blood is paying the price, and the Holy Spirit is the power to perform miracles and the word of God, it would be simpler. I have unlocked these scriptures for everyone, and I feel quite capable myself. Therefore, overcoming is believing in the Son of God, walking the path of Jesus Christ is called believing in the Son of God. Some say they also believe in Jesus, but they never repent, which means they do not have the testimony of water. They never pay the price, which means they do not have the testimony of blood. Jesus had to deal with His own flesh; if you do not deal with your own flesh, it is not called believing in the Son of God, and you cannot overcome that way.

After Jesus was arrested, He was punched and kicked but did not argue for Himself. If it were you, you probably could not take this loss. How could you have the likeness of Jesus? Take a mirror and look at yourself. If even a puddle of urine can reflect your appearance, it is even clearer in a mirror. If you do not have the likeness of Jesus on your body, you cannot be called a believer in Jesus. Those who proclaim to believe in Jesus, how come you cannot see the likeness of Jesus on them?

I have walked this path myself, and the more I walk, the more I long to be like Jesus. But when I look in the mirror, I feel too ugly and too filthy. I only wish that the Spirit of God and the word of God would illuminate me. Then, constantly through repentance and paying the price, mortifying the fleshly lusts and desires, and constantly relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to mortify the deeds of the flesh, it becomes very simple. So, overcoming refers to the faith within us. Powerful, isn't it?

The Testimony of Faith

The testimony of faith is the testimony of repentance, the heart to pay the price, and the power of the Holy Spirit to perform many miracles.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17-18)

Therefore, from repentance, paying the price, all the way to power, this is an indispensable testimony. This is the original way of life that we must adhere to, this is the path of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then miracles and wonders will accompany you, and God will dwell within you. You are in Jesus, and Jesus is in you. You can do what Jesus does, and after you do what Jesus does, you will also know that you have eternal life.

This Testimony is Eternal Life Given to Us by God

If everyone goes back and reads 1 John chapter 5 again, won't it seem simpler? I used to think that the essay written by old John was too difficult to understand, but now it seems not so difficult. This testimony is eternal life given to us by God. We have never seen eternal life, never been to heaven, and certainly never been to hell. Actually, I would like to sneak into heaven for a walk, but I am afraid of entering the wrong door and not being able to return. So how can we know eternal life? There is a logic here that I must adhere to: in the name of Jesus Christ, I have driven out many demons, solved many problems, and released many people. In my view, eternal life is very normal.

Although God has not taken me there, I absolutely believe that the spiritual realm is real. Driving out so many demons and performing so many miracles are all because of faith. Therefore, it begins with faith and leads to faith. This is what the Apostle Paul said in Romans. This testimony is eternal life given to us by God. After I performed these miracles, experienced repentance, and paid the price, I gained more power within, and this cycle repeats itself, constantly progressing and accelerating. Then, climbing up circle by circle, one day after finishing the path of service in this world, I will come before God and see His face.

I must tell everyone what is in my heart, which is that I long to see my God soon. Some people say that the teacher is tired of living. Actually, I have been tired of living for a long time. I live in eternal life, and the hope of eternal glory is within me, which is why there are more wonderful acts of God. Last Sunday, the sermon was about how God did not let any of Samuel's words fall to the ground. When we enter the logic of eternal life, we will be filled with testimony, and there will also be the Son of God within.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:12-14)

How do we know that we have eternal life within? How could God not be with us? Because whatever we ask, we receive.

And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:15)

Someone asked if it is true that whatever we ask, we receive? It is true. If he asks for 5 million, I would say that his faith is too small. He said, then I will ask for the richest man in Taizhou or Yantai. Asking like this is really foolish, and the result is idolatry.

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)

Why should we avoid idols? Because idols lead us to ask for things of this world. So what should we ask for?

This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:9-11)

What do you want to do with five million? Can you eat five million in a day? If I buy you five million worth of food and you eat it all in one day, wouldn't you die? We must know that this testimony is eternal life given to us by God. It is not for doing other things, but to let us know what a glorious hope eternal life is. I have to pour a bucket of cold water on you again. What people seek in this world is a handful of ashes, there is nothing to hope for. People must seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God. If you seek these things of the world, it is like printing money at home, you will be caught sooner or later. What we seek in this world can only be the glory in eternity. Therefore, overcoming is so simple, it is just a matter of faith. This faith will bring testimony, and this testimony will let us see what abundant glory there is in eternity.

Whoever is Born of God Does Not Sin

There is a part of us that does not sin, which has already turned to God. There is also a part that sins, which belongs to the world. You must constantly gain the land that has not been gained and let our whole person, from the inside out, be completely born of God, no longer a carnal person.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:18-19)

The whole world is under the control of the evil one. If you love anything in this world, you will be controlled by the evil one and become a servant under the evil one. If we are all born of God, that part of us that has the likeness of God does not sin. But if you obey the lusts and desires of our flesh, then you still need to repent. You need to pay the price, mortify the deeds of the flesh, and you still need the power of the Holy Spirit and constantly come out of this mortal life. So why do we get baptized? Actually, our baptism is to enter into the death of Jesus Christ, and when we come out of the water, we have the appearance of resurrected life.

If you are still often harmed by the evil one, whether it is an anal fistula or not being able to eat, it is all Old Ma's problem. One sentence summarizes these problems. Who asked you to run to Old Ma's house? Do you want to be Old Ma's servant? Do you look at the matter of living with God's perspective? Can you stand on God's throne and look at this world and all things in it? I have said this many times, please bear with me while I say it again. It's all about not being able to poop, not being able to pee, not being able to eat, or feeling blocked in the stomach after eating; and some people don't want to poop, but the poop leaks, don't want to pee, but the urine leaks. Or else blood leaks, anal fistulas, these are all deadly diseases. Although a toothache is not a disease, it can still take your life when it hurts. Things in this world are not easy! Our brothers and sisters must know that we lack this wisdom and do not recognize these things.

From Faith to Wisdom

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)

We start from faith and arrive at wisdom. This path is also a cycle, walking round and round. It can be summarized that the reason why people love the world and get those diseases is because they have no wisdom and no knowledge, so God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Not only do they not walk the path of faith, but even if they walk the path of faith and do not reach wisdom, it will be enough to give you a hard time.

Therefore, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we walk the path of Jesus Christ, and we gain the wisdom that Jesus Christ gives us. Isn't overcoming a simple matter? Actually, when you don't believe, you don't overcome; when you believe, you overcome. It's that simple, overcoming this world. The reason why people do not overcome is because they do not believe in the Son of God. Those who believe in the Son of God overcome, because it is God's will.

Conclusion

We overcome this world by relying on the faith within us, because with faith we can have testimony. Faith is believing in the Son of God, we are as Jesus Christ is, we do as Jesus Christ does. We walk the path of this world with the same hope that Jesus Christ had when He walked the path of this world. How Jesus died, nailing His own flesh to the cross, we also nail the lusts and desires of the flesh to the cross in the same way. How Jesus preached the word of God in this world, we also preach the word of God in the same way. How Jesus performed miracles, we also perform miracles in the same way.

Only we must become more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. With faith, we have testimony; with testimony, we know eternal life; with the hope of eternal life, we know how precious the wisdom of God is. It's that simple. We have finally studied 1 John completely. May God have mercy. When I have the opportunity to meet Old John, I must ask him, why did you write this in such a roundabout way?

But if Old John says, isn't this the homework left for you? One sentence would shut me up. Old John finished writing, and what was left was the work for me. So I must have done pretty well. Old John often called people little ones, and I am that little one. The little one did well, thank God! Therefore, brothers and sisters must know that overcoming is a very simple matter. The key is what exactly is inside.

May God bless everyone.