For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (6) This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
In these verses we here discover where the strength of the Church lies, and in whom alone she finds victory, even in Christ. The Apostle expresseth it by the word our faith. But by faith, is meant Christ, the great object of faith. Seeing the Son, our Lord calls it, and believing on him; John 6:40. And this includes all the blessed properties connected with it. He that is born of God, seeth himself a needy, lost, and helpless creature. He beholds a glory in Christ, and a fulness and suitableness in Christ, for salvation. He discovers also, a warrant in God the Father, to come to Christ, as a remedy of God's own providing. He feels an hungering and a thirsting for Christ, excited by the Holy Ghost in his soul. And thus he comes to Christ, and finds him to be wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; 1 Corinthians 1:30. This is to overcome the world, and to have a real soul enjoying faith, in the assured conviction, that Jesus is the Son of God!
I detain the Reader over the words of this verse, where it is said, that Jesus Christ came by water and blood; not by water only, but by water and blood. I have already in the Commentary (John 3:8) very largely spoken to this subject, to which I refer. And in addition, shall only think it necessary to say, that when the coming of Christ is thus here so blessedly spoken of, we cannot be at loss to apprehend, that as by his blood he hath redeemed his Church; so, by his Spirit he hath regenerated her; the Holy Ghost bearing witness, as the Spirit of truth, to her adoption character to this purport, is the language of the Holy Ghost, by the Apostle. After that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we, should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life; Titus 3:4-7.