How Can You Know That You Know?: A Study of 1 John #4
An exposition of 1 John 2:3-11; 18-27. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, October 25, 2015.
Intro:
It is one of the most common things I deal with in pastoral counseling. It is a naturally occurring phenomenon given our emphasis on eternal security coupled with our tendency to judge reality by our feelings or our emotions. The initial joy and excitement of salvation will eventually give way to routine. No one can live forever on the mountain top. Sooner or later you will travel down into the valley. During those valley days believers begin to wonder if, in fact, anything has really changed. You thought you were a new creature in Christ; old things passed away and all things became new – so why are the same temptations present? “Why do I spot some of those same flaws in my character?” “My joy even seems to be evaporating.” The dark clouds of doubt loom large on the horizon and you are left wondering, “Am I a child of God or not?” It is the age old question, “How do I know that I know?” Is it possible to know you truly belong to God? If so, how do you determine that?
That is, in large part, the whole purpose of 1 John. John is writing to a group of folks who are finding it difficult to remain firm and faithful. On the one hand they are experiencing persecution. At times that persecution is widespread and fierce. At the same time some false teachers have moved in and taught a very different message. A message that “made sense” to a great number. Some are leaving the faith and embracing this new teaching. These believers have experience intense upheaval in a short period of time and they are confused. They are longing for some answers. John, from a pastor’s heart, writes to encourage. After stating the historical groundings of the Christian Faith – 1 John 1:1-2:2 – he begins to address how Christians can truly know if they are in fact born again. Or, as John puts it, “know that they know God.” Our text this morning is found in 1 John 1 John 2.
Text: 1 John 2:3-11; 18-27
Assurance is one of the three main stated principles for writing.
1 John 5:19 – know that the world is in the hands of the evil one but you belong to God.
*1 John 5:13 – “I’ve written…so that you may know that you have eternal life…”
1 John 1:4 – I’m writing that our joy may be complete.
The beloved apostle proceeds, in our text, to set forth three “tests” for authentic faith. Each of which serves to remind us that:
Thesis: Genuine knowledge of God dramatically impacts the life of the believer transforming the mind, the heart and the will.
I’m convinced that this is a critically important word for us today. It seems to me that “easy believism” or what Deitrich Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace” is common place today. It is salvation without a cross and discipleship without cost. In our desire to fix things quickly and to be immediately satisfied we do not want to, “work out our own salvation in fear and trembling.” We want to say a prayer, sign and card and be done with it. We long for a “no obligation” covenant. I want to be saved but I don’t want to have to change anything or do anything differently. Thus we separate religion from ethics. My faith in Christ personally has no bearing on my lifestyle publicly. The only thing wrong with that kind of reasoning is that…well…it’s wrong!
John says, “If you really want to know if you are genuinely a child of God (that you really know Him) there are some tests. And if you really want to know apply these to your life and see how you fare.”
Let’s look at these three test found in the second chapter of 1 John.
- The Moral Test – the test of righteousness – (2:3-6)
The knowledge of God creates a life of progressive holiness. - The Social Test – the test of love. (2:7-11)
The knowledge of God produces a genuine love and compassion for others. - The Doctrinal Test – the test of truth. (2:18-27)
Conclusion:
How can I know that I know him?
Apply the moral test – are you growing in holiness/Christ-likeness?
Apply the social test – do you love the brethren?
Apply the doctrinal test – are you passionate about the truth concerning Christ?