A Chosen People
Notes
Transcript
Intro
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Transition
I. The Test Stated
I. The Test Stated
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
a. External proves the internal
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
I thought I believers were free from the law?!?
b. Commandments, Not Law
Entole- command, not Nomos- Law
Not that the law was ever bad, John just isn’t talking about the mosaic law speciffically. Jesus’s commands were always in harmony with the Mosaic law and most times taking it a step further to get to the heart.
c. Obedience reflects love
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
The test of salvation then is the test of obedience to the Scriptures, but How is is applied to us?
II. The Test Applied
II. The Test Applied
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
I know Him- That is I am a true believer. I am saved.
a. Not Keeping is a Habitual thing
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
To put it plainly, Those who are true believers, hear His voice and obey His word.
b. Hear and obey
Unbelievers don’t hear His voice
Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John states that those who claim to be believers and don’t obey God’s word are liers and the truth of the Gospel is not in them because
c. Faith without works is dead
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Not that we earn our salvation, because works without faith are dead, but that faith without works of obedience proved a dead faith.
But...
The Test of assurance is actually applied in a positive way!
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
This is How we know!
God’s granting of His love toward us results in or at least it should result in our obedience to the Scriptures.
So How does a believer prove the test true?
III. The Test Demonstrated
III. The Test Demonstrated
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
a. Abide in Him
The only person who can pass the test of obedience and have full assurance is the one who abides in Him. Jesus is our perfect role model for obeying God
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The branches (Believers) receive spiritual life and nourishment from the vine (Jesus Christ). To abide in Him means to remain in Him, not a temporary emotional superficial attachment as some who claim to be saved but aren’t, but a permanent, deep connection as all true believers have.
This authentic abiding in Christ should characterize the life of those who continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which they heard, because they are truly regenerated- new creatures that posses irrevocable eternal life.
b. Walk in Him
The term walk here is referring to the daily manner of life , the daily conduct of the believer.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Perfectly displayed by Christ in
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
Conclusion:
Obviously, a believer’s obedience is not perfect, and won’t be until Glory, but Jesus did establish the perfect pattern that we are to follow.
As people who claim to know Jesus Christ as our savior, we abide in Him and our regular pattern of life should prove that fact. If not, we need to be evaluating