In 1 John 5, the image of birthing is used to help us understand our relationship to God, but also the relationship that is shared between God the parent, Jesus the son, and the Spirit of truth. This complex family is held together through the bonds of love, and we are invited to be children in this family. When we are “born of God,” (an image derived from motherhood) this impacts how we relate, not only to God, but also to others. In these “kinship” relationships, Jesus’ life and death once again show us what love looks like.
Scripture:
1 John 5:1-6
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.