By Peter
Faith is a word we hear often, but what does it really mean? During this week’s Divine Service at Thundersley Christian Spiritualist Church, I reflected on one of the most powerful passages in the New Testament, 1 John 5:1-12, which reminds us that genuine faith is not simply believing something intellectually. It is about living in relationship with God, trusting in Christ, and allowing that faith to shape the way we love others and live our lives.
What Does It Mean to Have Faith?
The Apostle John begins by telling us:
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…”
– 1 John 5:1 (NIV)
This statement is both simple and profound. Faith begins with recognising Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, but it does not end there. True faith transforms us. It changes how we think, how we treat others, and how we respond to life’s challenges.
Throughout the Gospels, God confirms the identity of Jesus. At the Transfiguration, recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36, God declares:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Those words leave little room for doubt. They invite us to place our trust in Christ and follow His example.
Faith Means Surrender
One aspect of faith that often receives less attention is surrender.
Jesus demonstrated complete trust in the Father throughout His earthly ministry, and nowhere is this more evident than at the crucifixion. After His death, when His side was pierced by a soldier’s spear, blood and water flowed from His body (John 19:31-37). This moment has deep spiritual significance. The blood reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice, while the water has long been understood as symbolising life, cleansing and the work of the Spirit.
For me, this image also reflects Jesus completely surrendering Himself to God’s will. Faith is not simply believing when life is easy. It is trusting God even when we cannot see the outcome.
Renewing Our Covenant with God
Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we renew our commitment to God.
When we say, “Your will be done,” we are promising to place God’s will before our own. That is not always easy, but John reassures us that God’s commandments are not intended to burden us.
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”
– 1 John 5:3 (NIV)
God is loving, forgiving and patient. He does not expect perfection. He asks us to continue striving, learning and growing spiritually, knowing that His guidance is always available when we seek Him sincerely.
Love Is the Greatest Power
The central message of Christianity is love.
Jesus showed us that love is not weakness but the greatest spiritual strength. His love overcame fear, hatred and even death itself.
When we allow Christ’s love to live within us, we begin to see others differently. Compassion replaces judgement. Forgiveness replaces resentment. Unity replaces division.
As Christian Spiritualists, we recognise that every soul is part of God’s family, and our spiritual development depends upon learning to express that divine love in our daily lives.
Faith That Overcomes the World
John reminds us that faith gives us strength to overcome whatever life places before us.
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
– 1 John 5:4 (NIV)
This does not mean life will be free from hardship. Rather, it reminds us that through faith we gain hope, resilience and confidence that God walks beside us in every circumstance.
Our greatest victories are often spiritual rather than worldly. They are found in forgiveness, kindness, perseverance and remaining faithful even during difficult times.
The Testimony of the Spirit
The passage concludes by speaking of three witnesses: the Spirit, the water and the blood. Together they testify to who Jesus truly is and to the eternal life that God offers through Him.
John writes:
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
– 1 John 5:11 (NIV)
For Christian Spiritualists, this message resonates deeply. We believe life continues beyond physical death, and that our souls continue their journey in God’s eternal love. Faith in Christ gives us hope, purpose and confidence that death is not the end but a transition into continued spiritual life.
Final Thoughts
This week’s reading encourages us to look beyond simply believing and instead to live our faith every day. Faith means trusting God, following Christ’s example, loving others without reservation, and continually striving to grow spiritually.
When we surrender ourselves to God’s will and allow Christ’s love to guide our actions, we discover the peace, strength and hope that faith brings.
May we each continue that journey with open hearts, knowing that God’s love is always present and that through faith we can overcome whatever lies before us.
This article was drafted using Chat GPT from a transcript of Peter’s bible reading on 19th July 2026. Edited by Humans.
