1 John 2:1-14 Three Tests to Let You “Know.”

1 John 1:8-10

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

1 John 2:1-14

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,

Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.

The main purpose of the Book of 1 John is that you and I come to know that we are truly children of God by the evidence of our being “born again.” In these 5 short chapters, the word in the Greek for “know” is used 39 times and it refers to experiential knowledge.

1 John 5:13 says:

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

2 Timothy 1:12 says:

For this reason, I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I KNOW whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

JOHN GIVES US A SERIES OF TESTS TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WE’RE A CHILD OF GOD:

THE FIRST TEST INVOLVES OUR ATTITUDE.

1 John 2:3-5; John 14:15

Being “born again,” you are given an attitude of OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

You do not develop this attitude. It is placed within you.

Letting God further develop this attitude allows Him to work in us.

THE SECOND TEST INVOLVES OUR ACTIONS.

1 John 2:6; Galatians 5:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Not only are you given an attitude, but also an obligation to live as Jesus did.

If you are a born again Christian, attitudes and obligation are not optional.

THE THIRD TEST INVOLVES OUR AFFECTION.

1 John 2:1-10; Matthew 22:35-40

Attitude and Actions will combine with Affection for God and for others.

Spiritual truths we can gleam from our studies thus far:

> Don’t ever mess with stuff that gets you in trouble.

> When you foul things up, remember you have Someone who’s always in your corner.

> Behave like a member of the family.

> No matter what you say, your actions tell the truth so constantly review your actions.

> Always remember that your obedience reveals how much you respect your Father.

> When you’re looking for an example to follow, choose Jesus.

> Love your brothers and sisters in Christ.