THE TESTS OF SALVATION (Pt.2)
1 John 2:29
I started talking about tests of our saving faith last week when we looked at a test to obey God’s Word, a test to identify with God’s people, and a test to separate from the world’s systems. This week we want to look at a few more tests to help us see if we’re really Christians or to help us understand why we may not have the confidence that we’re Christians. Satan is the “accuser of the brethren” Scripture says. You may lack the confidence to “know that you have eternal life” because Satan holds you down by shaming you with failures in your life. Perhaps today, you will see that God has put His spirit in you as evidenced in these tests:
FIRST: THE TEST OF INTEGRITY/MORAL CHARACTER
Do you desire/want to do right in all circumstances, in all places, at all times?
If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. - 1 John 2:29
7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous . . . 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child . . . . 1 John 3:7, 10a
The apostle’s words of caution include a moral criterion for the professing believer: “He who does what is right is righteous.” The present tense participle makes clear that the test is not the performance of an occasional righteous deed but rather the habitual practice of ‘righteousness.’ Furthermore, “the righteousness” refers to that righteousness that is characteristic of Christ. It is a distinguishing trait of God’s family and is a product of regeneration.
Notice that the practice of righteousness is not what makes the individual “righteous” (dikaios), but it reveals the inner nature of the one who is practicing righteousness. One practices righteousness because of his righteous character. “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt 7:16). The individual’s conduct is certain evidence of his nature. The one who practices righteousness does so because he has been granted the righteousness of God. The believer does right because he possesses the imputed righteousness of Christ.
THE SECOND TEST: THE TEST OF SIN
A true Christian cannot live in sin and be comfortable - 3:6, 9
6No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him . . . 9No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I. The Tendency to Sin (6b)—This passage clearly reveals the tendency we all have to sin. Being born into this life, inheriting the adamic nature, we all possess the tendency to sin. Notice:
Our society has developed an “anything goes” mentality. “You only live once, so you might as well enjoy it.” “Everyone else is doing it.” Few see the significance of sin and the dangers associated with it. John declares that sin is a transgression of God’s law. It is rebellion against the holiness and commands of God.
Sin is enmity with God. So, those who dwell in sin have no fellowship with God. As believers we are not bound by the law. It is not the means of our salvation, but we cannot discredit God’s holy standard. You cannot embrace sin, the violation of God’s law, and please the Lord. Sin has consequences that cannot be ignored.
B. The Consequence of Sin (6b)—the one who sins has not seen him, or knows him. What!? Who among us lives above sin? Who among us can honestly say they commit no sin? Here’s the context. This has the idea of “continuing in sin; to go on sinning and sinning.” John speaks of those who live in sin, just as those who had never been born again in Christ. Those whose lives are marked by continual sin, appear to have not encountered the Lord, nor do they appear to be known of Him.
Hmm. Many I talk to today see no real consequence of their sin, especially while they are young. They feel as if they are entitled to live a little and indulge themselves. Continuing in sin, with no desire for reconciliation to God through sanctification in Christ, confirms one is apart and separated from the Lord in their sin. 2 Cor. 4:6—For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
THE THIRD TEST: THE TEST OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
His indwelling presence and witness - 3:24; 4:13; Romans 8:9, 16
24The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
C. Remain in Obedience (24a)— The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. Just as our faith and love must endure, so must our obedience to the commandments of God. We are saved by grace and have escaped the condemnation of the law, but God still expects us to live in accordance with the Word of God. If we are to enjoy fellowship with Christ and abundant life, we must be submissive to His will for our lives and submit to His authority!
D. Rest in Grace (24b)— We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. Fear and doubt are not of God, but of the devil. God doesn’t desire believers to live their Christian lives wondering about their salvation. He wants us to enjoy complete victory and liberty through Christ. We are indwelt with the Spirit and can have absolute confidence in salvation and our eternal destiny. If you are saved, stop worrying and start resting in His abundant grace.
Conclusion: I am certain we all could love others more than we do. I’m sure we could possess more concern for the condition of lost souls. No doubt we all fail and come short at times, possessing a need for continued growth.
There are likely some who continue to struggle with assurance of their salvation. It is possible to get that settled and enjoy victory. That is what the Lord desires for you. He doesn’t want you living your Christian life continually worried about your salvation.
Maybe you know there was never a moment when you trusted Christ in salvation. Maybe you trusted Christ, but you’ve been living apart from Him continually practicing sin, disobedience, or some form of disbelief or rebellion. Consequently, many of your doubts and uncertainties probably come from your choice to live life apart from God’s laws and His Spirit. He stands ready to meet whatever needs we may have!
THE FOURTH TEST: THE TEST OF THE OVERCOMING LIFE
A consistent, victorious life - 5:4
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
A. Our Vitality (4a)—For everyone born of God overcomes the world. We must bear in mind the context for this epistle. The church was in its infancy. False teachers were abundant. Many of the Jews maintained loyalty to the Old Testament teachings and refused to embrace Christ as the Messiah. The church faced many obstacles and daily struggles. Many were likely tempted to abandon their faith. John encouraged them of the great strength and help they had in the Lord.
You will have to agree that we too face many struggles and obstacles as well. The faces and philosophies may have changed, but the battle remains largely the same. These are perhaps the most difficult times for churches in Japan and other countries. It may only get worse too. Society as a whole no longer seems to embrace faith. There is a push to silence our voice and force us to abandon biblical conviction for political correctness. The very fundamentals of our faith are being challenged daily.
As difficult as this day is, we can overcome in Christ. He is not surprised by what we face. He remains seated at the right hand of God. He is still sovereign and in charge of this world. We will face opposition and adversity, but we are not defeated. 1 John 4:4—Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Rom. 8:35–37—Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
B. Our Victory (4b)—and this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. I can imagine the early believers asking John how they were to respond to the difficulties they faced. How will we make it through? Is there any hope for us? John encouraged them to persevere through faith in Christ. They would be able to overcome and endure by faith.
This truth has not changed and it never will. We too face difficulties and it seems at times as if we may lose our religious freedoms. Many worry about being arrested or sued for their faith. I can’t tell you these things won’t happen. In fact, it is likely they will; and when they do, we must persevere by faith. Whatever we face is no match for the power our Lord possesses. We may be persecuted for our faith, but faith will allow us to rise above in victory! Society may abuse us or even take our lives, but they cannot destroy our faith and our security in Christ.
These are the tests that we must not fail. Though no Christian will keep
all seven perfectly, we will keep them consistently (Romans 7:1-25;
Galatians 5:16-26). When we fail, we must apply I John 1:7-10.
David Ronan, Ph.D.