What does 1 John 4:15 teach us about confessing and acknowledging Jesus?

1 John 4:15 is a powerful and profound verse that speaks to the heart of Christian faith and identity. It states, "If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God" (NIV). This verse encapsulates the essence of what it means to be in a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ. To fully understand its implications, we must delve into several key aspects: the significance of confessing Jesus as the Son of God, the mutual indwelling of God and the believer, and the broader context within the epistle of 1 John.

Firstly, the act of confessing or acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God is not merely a verbal declaration; it is a profound affirmation of faith that encompasses belief, trust, and allegiance. In the Greco-Roman world, the term used for "confess" (Greek: ὁμολογέω, homologeō) conveyed a sense of agreement, endorsement, and commitment. Therefore, to confess Jesus as the Son of God means to recognize and accept His divine nature, His unique relationship with the Father, and His redemptive work on the cross.

This confession is foundational to Christian faith. In Matthew 16:16, Peter declares, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God," to which Jesus responds, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven" (Matthew 16:17, NIV). Here, Jesus underscores the divine revelation necessary for such a confession. It is an acknowledgment that goes beyond human reasoning and is rooted in a spiritual understanding granted by God.

Moreover, this confession has transformative implications. When one acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God, it signifies a turning away from sin and a turning towards a new life in Christ. As Paul writes in Romans 10:9-10, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved" (NIV). This passage highlights the integral connection between belief and confession, leading to salvation.

The second aspect of 1 John 4:15 is the mutual indwelling of God and the believer. The verse states that if anyone acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God, "God lives in them and they in God." This concept of mutual indwelling is a recurring theme in John's writings, particularly in the Gospel of John and the epistles. In John 15:4, Jesus says, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me" (NIV). This imagery of the vine and branches illustrates the intimate and vital union between Christ and His followers.

The mutual indwelling signifies a deep, personal relationship with God. It is a relationship characterized by love, obedience, and fellowship. In 1 John 4:16, the apostle writes, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them" (NIV). Here, John emphasizes that living in love is synonymous with living in God. This love is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible expression of God's presence in the believer's life.

Furthermore, this indwelling is facilitated by the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you" (NIV). The Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of truth, enables believers to understand and confess Jesus as the Son of God and empowers them to live in accordance with God's will.

The broader context of 1 John provides additional insights into the significance of this confession. The epistle was written to address false teachings and to reassure believers of their faith. One of the primary heresies confronting the early church was Gnosticism, which denied the true humanity and divinity of Jesus. By emphasizing the importance of confessing Jesus as the Son of God, John refutes these false teachings and affirms the core tenets of Christian doctrine.

In 1 John 4:1-3, the apostle warns, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God" (NIV). This passage underscores the necessity of discerning true from false teachings based on the acknowledgment of Jesus' incarnation.

Additionally, the theme of love permeates the epistle of 1 John. In 1 John 4:7-8, John writes, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (NIV). The confession of Jesus as the Son of God is intrinsically linked to the practice of love. True acknowledgment of Jesus results in a life marked by love for God and for others.

The mutual indwelling of God and the believer also has eschatological implications. In 1 John 3:2, John writes, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (NIV). This verse points to the future hope of believers, who will be transformed and fully conformed to the image of Christ at His return. The present reality of God's indwelling presence is a foretaste of the future glory that awaits.

In conclusion, 1 John 4:15 teaches us that confessing and acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God is central to Christian faith and identity. It is a confession that signifies a deep, personal relationship with God, characterized by mutual indwelling and transformative love. This acknowledgment is not merely a verbal declaration but a profound affirmation of faith that encompasses belief, trust, and allegiance. It is facilitated by the Holy Spirit and has both present and future implications for the believer. As we confess Jesus as the Son of God, we experience the reality of God's presence in our lives and the assurance of eternal life in Him.