“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.”
And we have seen
John and the apostles saw and testified of the Son of God’s presence in time on earth. The words “have seen” mean that the apostles steadfastly and deliberately contemplated the presence of the incarnate Christ on earth, the Son of God in the incarnation. It was not simply a moment in time but a process of seeing and testifying.
and testify
The apostles gave continuing testimony to the incarnate Christ.
that the Father has sent the Son
John puts stress upon Jesus as the Son. The Son was the Son before He came into the world. He always was the eternal Son of God. He did not become the Son at Bethlehem.
as Savior of the world
Jesus was the Savior of the world, not merely the elect. Jesus came to the world as “Savior,” not as a social worker. There are only two instances where the New Testament calls Jesus the “Savior” (here and John 4:42). All people are savable (2:2).
Jn 3:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
1 Jn 2:2, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
2 Pe 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
1 Jn 4:15, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
PRINCIPLE:
Salvation in Christ is the foundation of dynamic living in Christianity.
APPLICATION:
Salvation in Christ is the foundation of dynamic living in Christianity. Faith in Christ produces love to God, and love to God ignites a love for Christians. As God showed His love toward us in Christ, we are to show love to those who love Him.
Do you know the Son of God as your Savior? I am not asking do you know Him as an example or moral teacher. Do you know Jesus as the only One who can save you from your sins? Before you meet God, you must have a Savior to save you from your sins.
