The beloved Apostle either saw that the Church needed real evidence of authentic Christianity or the Church had asked him to provide it. Perhaps, like 21st century Christianity, the lines had become blurred between the Church and the world. In any case, six times John explains how we know the reality of Christianity. Note that the proofs he identifies are practical, outward expressions and do not rely solely on verbal confession. Actions speak louder than words!
Obeying the Word: Knowing we are in Him
“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:5-6 (NIV)
Antichrist teaching: Knowing the times
“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.” 1 John 2:18 (NIV)
Sinning versus righteous living: Knowing who is a Christian and who is not
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This 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 a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:9-10 (NIV)
Giving our lives: Knowing love
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16 (NIV)
Obedience: Knowing that He lives in us
“And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”
1 John 3:23-24 (NIV)
Love God and practice His commands: Knowing that we love the children of God
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.” 1 John 5:1-2 (NIV)
John’s words are pointed more to examining ourselves than to measuring another’s Christianity.
Dear Father, thank you for teaching us how we may know the reality of our faith. Empower us with the fortitude to be faithful. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the Word of God,