The simplicity of the gospel is that we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ by God’s grace. None of us loved God before we received Christ and we certainly did not (could not) earn it! So what confidence do you have that you have genuine faith that saves (and is unlike the demons who believe and tremble because of pending judgment)?
The evidence of knowing Christ in 1 John 2:1-11 is:
Foundational
- Evidence #1 – recognition of our sins along with confession to Christ who is our Advocate;
- Evidence #2 – obedience to Christ’s teachings; and,
- Evidence #3 – God’s love operates in us.
The evidence of eternal life listed in 1 John 2:12-24 is ongoing:
Increasing
- Evidence #4 – progressing in maturity in knowing the Persons of the Godhead
- Evidence #5 – rejecting the love of this world;
- Evidence #6 – discerning deceivers/deception; and,
- Evidence #7 – overcoming temptation by knowing the truth.
The Apostle John understood who Jesus was (the incarnate and resurrected Son of God) and John understood how much Christ loved him. John, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote the First Epistle of John so that those who came to faith after Christ’s ascension could also have (1) a firm and unwavering knowledge of God based on truth; (2) fellowship with the Godhead; and, (3) enjoy fellowship with all other believers because of God’s indwelling Spirit in each believer. This means the letter is for you and me.
God’s Word helps us examine our lives, understand what corrective actions should be taken, and enjoy the riches of Christ. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
Test of Genuine Profession
- If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (1 John 1:6)
- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
- If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)
- He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4)
- He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:6)
- He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. (1 John 2:9)
- If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (1 John 4:20)
Reasons John Wrote this Letter
- And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:4)
- My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1)
- Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. (1 John 2:7-8)
- To recognize various stages of Christian maturity: I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. … I write to you, little children because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. (1 John 2:12-14 )
- I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (1 John 2:21)
- These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. (1 John 2:26)
- These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)
God’s love can be perfected in us here and now (1 John 2:5, 1 John 4:12, 17), but we will not be perfect until our mortal bodies are changed and we see Christ face to face. You can know you have eternal life because of the testimony of the indwelling Spirit of God and the evidence of your faith through His sanctification in you.
Be blessed and enjoy Christ giving God the glory for all He has done!
Attribution: photographs in this blog’s collage are from http://www.LumoProject.com
All Scripture in this blog is from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.
DesiringFruitfulness 
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