How Can I Know for Sure I Am a Christian

1. Obedience (vs. 3-6)

2. Love for others (7-11)

3. Spiritual Growth (12-14)

4. Worldly Separation (vs. 15-17)

5. Discernment (Knowing the Antichrist) (vs. 18-23)

6. An Abiding Relationship (vs. 24-29)The Assurance of a Real Relationship

The Assurance of a Real Relationship

Matthew 15:8 AV

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 AV

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2 Timothy 4:3 AV

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Philippians 2:12 (AV)

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Are We Obedient to God’s Word?

1. Our Desire to KNOW Jesus

2. Our Desire to ABIDE in Jesus

3. Our desire to KEEP Jesus’ Word

1 John 5:1–3 AV

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Romans 13:8–10 AV

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

The Character of a False Belief

John 8:44 AV

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The Character of the Child of God

Do We Love Our Neighbor?

The “Old” Commandment of Love

Leviticus 19:18 AV

18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

The “New” Commandment of Love

Matthew 5:43–45 AV

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

John 13:34–35 AV

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.