HOW CAN I KNOW FOR SURE? 1 John 5:1-13

Intro:  We live in a world that is filled with doubt.  Very few people seem to have any real certainty about anything.  These doubts arise concerning the economy.  How high will gas prices and milk prices go?  These doubts arise concerning the war on terror.  How long will it last?  How large will it grow?  How many lives will be spent in pursuit of a victory?  These doubts arise concerning the future.  What kind of life will I have in the future?  How long will I love?  Will I get some dread disease?  These doubts arise in just about every area of our lives.

Of course, the worse place for doubt to arise is in the realm of the spiritual.  We seem to be able to handle other forms of doubt better than we handle those doubts that are spiritual in nature.  But, doubt does arise there too, doesn’t it?  When it comes to the spiritual realm, you do not have to be plagued by doubts and worries.  The Bible teaches us that we can know for sure that we are saved and secure in God’s salvation. 

 I.  v. 1-5        WE KNOW THROUGH A CHANGED WALK

A.  v. 1  A Personal Relationship –(Bedrock of Salvation) John begins our journey to assurance with a foundational statement.  He tells us that “belief” in the identity of Jesus Christ is essential to being saved.  This is where you faith stands or falls!  Everything begins and ends with whether or not your faith is in Jesus and in Him alone for your soul’s salvation.  Listen to what the Bible says: John 6:47B.  v. 2-5 A Profound Rearrangement-(Birthmarks of Salvation) How often have you heard someone say about a baby, “He looks just like his father.”, or “She sure has her mother’s eyes!”?  Well, just as human babies exhibit the characteristics of their parents, those who are born again children of God will have certain birthmarks which distinguish them.

1.  v. 1b-2a  We Will Love The Saints – In other words, you will love what God loves! There will be a supernatural love placed within you that fills you with love, compassion and concern for your brothers and sisters in Christ! This love among the brethren is the believer’s calling card, John 13:35.

2.  v. 2b-3  We Will Live Out The Scriptures – We demonstrate our salvation when we walk in humble obedience to the commandments of God.  Obedience to the Word of God is proof positive of spiritual birth, 1 John 2:3-5.

3.  v. 5-4  We Will Leave The Sinful – As a believer grows in the Lord, his or her life will be marked by a steady move away from the world and its allurements.  The new believer is a “new creation”, 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 John 3:4-10.

II.  v. 6-10     WE KNOW THROUGH A CLEAR WITNESS

A.  v. 6-8  The Spirit Witnesses About The Savior –The Spirit tells us that Jesus came by “water and blood.”  What does this mean?  Well, John here is combating a heresy that was rampant in that day called the Serinthian heresy.  This heresy stated that Jesus was merely a man and that at His baptism, the divine Christ came upon the human Jesus and empowered Him for service, then the divine Christ left the human Jesus before the cross and a mere man died on Calvary.

B.  v. 9-10  The Spirit Witnesses Within The Saint – These verse tell us that the believer has the witness of the Holy Spirit within himself that he really is saved. You see the Holy Spirit witnesses to three great realities.  He witnesses to Facts, Faith and Feelings. 

1.  Heb. 10:15 – The Spirit reveals the facts of the Gospel to our hearts.  It is the facts that bring conviction of our sins and point us to Jesus for salvation.  The Spirit takes the facts of the Gospel and makes them real to a sinner’s heart!

2.  Romans 8:16 – This deals with the matter of faith.  When we receive the facts of the Gospel, the Spirit of God witnesses to our hearts that we the children of God.  He validates our faith in the facts by assuring us of our salvation.

3.  1 John 5:10 – This passage deals with the matter of feelings.  Thank God for good feelings, but they are really just window dressing!

III.  v. 11-12   WE KNOW THROUGH A CLARIFYING WORD

(These verses tell us that we have God’s word concerning this matter of salvation!  We have the infallible, inerrant, inspired record!)

A.  v. 11a  A Word About The Provision Of Eternal Life – We are told that salvation is the gift of God.  Friend, you don’t just “get saved!”  God saves you because “Salvation is of the Lord,” Jonah 2:9.  It is His to give and He gives to whom He pleases.  When He gives you salvation, He also gives you life everlasting! This is the record!  What a blessing!

B.  v. 11b-12  A Word About The Procurement Of Eternal Life – How does one go about getting this eternal life?  These verses tell us very clearly that “this life is in His Son.”  If you have the Lord Jesus, you have everlasting life; if you do not have the Lord Jesus then you do not have everlasting life! So, the question is, do you have Jesus?

Conc: Listen, you can have assurance of your salvation.  You can know that you are saved.  If you can look at the evidence and trust the Word of God, the Witness of the Spirit and the new Walk of life God has given you, then you can have rest in this area as well.  Isn’t it time to put it to rest forever?  Why not get before the Lord right now and ask Him to help you get hold of these truths once and for all