Stroll through Scripture for July 21, 2024

Based on 1 John 5:1–6

When I read this passage of Scripture, I can see a range of interpretation. On one end of the spectrum, the passage might be read through the lens of obedience, order, and ruling. On the other end of the spectrum, the passage might be read through the lens of relationship, faithfulness, and overcoming. These two lenses seem to summarize so much of the differences in Christianity in America today.

In verse 2, there is talk about keeping or obeying God’s commands. What does this mean? Again, it depends on what lens you are looking at this passage through. Do you hear a message about order and following rules, or do you hear a message that we keep God’s commandments because of God’s love for us and our responding to that love?

In verse 4 and 5 we hear about conquering or overcoming the world. Does this mean control over the world so that God’s ways can be imposed, or does that mean the ways of the world have no power over the faithful any longer?

You can see how this passage can we twisted in a variety of ways as ammunition in the battle over translation and what it means to be a faithful following of Jesus. Are we called to conquer and impose Christian morality (or some variation of it) on the world? Or is this passage about “overcoming” the world — a type of outlasting whatever is thrown at you?

When I read this, verses 4–6 seem to give some context of how to read it. In verses 4–5 we hear about victory in…