Three Tests of Genuine Faith

Text: 1 John 2:3-11

Summary:

In 1 John 2:3-11, John addresses false teachers who denied Jesus' humanity and separated knowledge from obedience. He presents three tests of genuine faith: the Obedience Test (knowing God produces obedience), the Imitation Test (abiding in Christ transforms us to walk like Him), and the Love Test (being in the light means loving others). These tests remain relevant today, warning against reducing faith to mere knowledge, attendance, or public performance. True salvation produces transformation—not legalistic obligation, but natural change flowing from encountering Jesus. When we truly know Christ, obedience, Christlike living, and genuine love become our authentic response to His grace.

Sermon Outline

INTRODUCTION

A. Background Context

John's Love for His Readers

Uses "Dear friends"/"Beloved" () five times throughout the letteragape

Writes with deep pastoral affection and concern

The Threat of False Teaching

Central error: Denial of Jesus's humanity/incarnation

Claimed Jesus only "appeared" to be real

John's refutation: "I saw him, touched him—he was a real human being"

References: 1 John 2:18, 22; 2 John 7

Understanding Gnosticism

Knowledge is supreme—spiritual enlightenment over relationship

Flesh is evil, soul is good—therefore God couldn't become human

Body/soul separation—behavior doesn't affect spirituality (antinomianism)

Flesh is evil. Behavior doesn't matter. Knowledge is king.

I. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN KNOWING AND OBEYING (v. 3)

Direct link between knowing God and obeying God

Perfect tense verb: past experience with ongoing present consequences

True knowledge is dynamic, not a static achievement

Knowledge of God is evidenced by obedience

II. THREE TESTS OF GENUINE FAITH (vv. 4-11)

A. Test #1: The Obedience Test (v. 4)

Claiming to know God without obedience = lying

Cannot separate knowing from obeying

Strong but necessary correction

B. Test #2: The Imitation Test (v. 6)

The one who "remains/abides" in Christ

Abiding produces imitation of Jesus

Not just intellectual but transformational

C. Test #3: The Love Test (v. 9)

Being in the light changes how we treat people

Supporting texts: 1 John 3:14-15, 17-18

Faith has visible results in relationships

D. Jesus's Own Teaching (John 14:15, 21, 23)

Love and obedience are inseparable

Intellectual assent alone is insufficient

III. MODERN APPLICATIONS: THESE TESTS STILL MATTER TODAY

A. Modern Application of Test #1: The Knowledge Trap

The Danger: Reducing discipleship to information

Who's Vulnerable: Preachers, academics, Bible quiz champions

The Question: Do you have knowledge or truth?

Knowledge without transformation = failure

B. Modern Application of Test #2: The Attendance Trap

The Danger: Equating church attendance with spiritual maturity

Who's Vulnerable: Lifelong church members, activity-focused believers

The Reality: Can't live faith in isolation, but attendance ≠ transformation

The Standard: You must walk the walk

C. Modern Application of Test #3: The Performance Trap

The Danger: Public faith without genuine love

Who's Vulnerable: Visible servants, social media Christians

The Reality: Public performance without servant-hearted love = failure

The Standard: Actions must match words

IV. THIS ISN'T LEGALISM—IT'S TRANSFORMATION

Legalism: Earning salvation through works

John's Teaching: Salvation produces change

Key Principle: The Gospel doesn't require obedience, it produces it

Obedience flows from hearts touched by Jesus's love

Jesus compels change, not just demands it

V. THE OLD COMMAND MADE NEW (vv. 7-8)

A. The Paradox: Both Old and New

Old: Love rooted in God's eternal character and the law

New: Deepened and expanded in Christ

New in experience, emphasis, expression, and endurance

"Old as the sun and new as the dawn" (D.L. Akin)

B. The Reality: In Christ, Obedience Becomes Natural

Old religious system of external law-keeping replaced by internal transformation

Walking like Jesus becomes our new normal

Love transforms from duty to identity

CONCLUSION

A. The Reality of Transformation

When we truly know Jesus, we can't help but change. Authentic faith:

Goes beyond knowledge to obedient living

Moves past religious activity to actual transformation

Transcends public performance to genuine love for others

B. Final Questions

Do you have knowledge only, or does that knowledge lead you to truth that changes how you live?

Do you only attend church, or do you walk the walk?

Do you only perform your faith publicly, or do you love people genuinely?

C. Encouragement

These tests aren't meant to discourage but to encourage authentic faith

I see transformed lives, committed service, and genuine love in this church

Though I may have stepped on some toes, let me pat you on the back

Keep pursuing what Paul describes as the greatest spiritual gift of all—love