1 João 5

1 João 5:13

Morris - The most definitive basis for our assurance of salvation is true faith in "the name of the Son of God," with whatever that entails. John has also given a number of tests for knowing that our faith in Him is true faith, not just mental assent to a tenet of faith. Such tests are noted in 1 John 2:3; 2:5; 2:6; 2:29; 1Jn 3:2,3; 3:14; 3:18,19; 3:24; 1Jn 4:13; 1Jn 5:2 (compare John 20:31). A T Robertson on that you may know - He wishes them to have eternal life in Christ (John 20:31) and to know that they have it, but not with flippant superficiality (1Jn 2:3-6+). To receive zōē is to have God’s life now and to be guaranteed eternal life in the future. -- Philip Comfort/Wendell Hawley Robert W. Yarbrough on eternal life - The divinely bestowed gift of blessedness in God's presence that endures without end. This relates especially to the quality of life in this age, and to both the quality and duration of life in the age to come. (See lengthy article on Eternal Life, Eternality, Everlasting Life) Eternal life does not refer primarily to a period of time but a Person. -- John MacArthur As alluded to above while eternal life "does not refer primarily to duration of life, but to quality of life. Eternal life is to know Jesus Christ (Jn 17:3), Who Himself is eternal life (1Jn 5:20), and to share in His life. It is a present possession, not merely a future hope (Jn 3:36; 5:24; 6:47, 54; 10:28; 1Jn 3:15), though it is not fully manifested in this life." Eternal life is a relationship with the Person of Jesus Christ and possessing His nature -- John MacArthur Barker - John’s first epistle is addressed to those who have accepted this belief but still need assurance that through this name they have indeed received eternal life. So the author refers six times (in addition to v. 13) to what we believers know: We know that he hears us—whatever we ask. We know that we have what we asked. We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin. We know that we are children of God. We know also that the Son of God has come. We … know him who is true. (1Jn 5:15, 18–20) (See The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Edition) I have written (1125)(grapho from root graph- = primarily means to scratch on or engrave as on an ornament, reports, letters, etc; English = graph, graphic, etc) means to engrave or inscribe with a pen or stylus characters or letters on a surface which can be wood, wax, metal, leather, stone, parchment, dirt (John ), paper, etc. Who believe (4100)(pisteuo) means to entrust oneself to an entity (in this case Jesus) in complete confidence. To believe in with the implication of total commitment to the one who is trusted (Jesus). This is not just intellectual assent, but a that is not associated in a change in one's heart and thus in one's behavior or actions. Belief in the New Testament sense that effects the new birth denotes more than a "demonic" like, intellectual assent to a set of facts or truths. The demons believe but they are clearly not saved. Genuine belief does involve an intellectual assent and consent of one's mind, but also includes an act of one's heart and will. Biblical saving faith is not passive assent but an active staking of one's life on the claims of God. The respected Greek lexicon author W E Vine defines belief as consisting of (1) a firm conviction which produces full acknowledgment of God's revelation of Truth - (2Th 2:11 -"in order that they all may be judged who did not believe [pisteuo] the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness."); (2) a personal surrender to the Truth (Jn 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe [pisteuo] in His name") and (3) a conduct inspired by and consistent with that surrender. Name (3686) onoma means that by which something or someone is called or known. Thus a name constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing. However in antiquity the name meant more than it does today. We use a name as little more than a distinguishing mark or label to differentiate one person from another. But in the ancient world the name signified not only the person's identity but the inherent character of the person designated by the name. Stated another way, in ancient times, one's whole character (title, reputation, person) was implied in the name. For example, in John 1:12 to "believe in His Name" (cf Jn 3:18, 20:31, 1Jn 3:23) is to believe (with a belief that results in a new, "circumcised" heart) in all Jesus is and all He has accomplished to effect our eternal redemption (Heb 9:12). The Name when used of Jesus indicates the full revelation of the Son of God. Detzler says " In Hebrew thinking a name is identified with character, and the name of God is the repository of God's power." (see NIDNTT article online page 648 for 9 page article on NAME) USES OF ONOMA BY JOHN - Jn. 1:6; Jn. 1:12; Jn. 2:23; Jn. 3:1; Jn. 3:18; Jn. 5:43; Jn. 10:3; Jn. 10:25; Jn. 12:13; Jn. 12:28; Jn. 14:13; Jn. 14:14; Jn. 14:26; Jn. 15:16; Jn. 15:21; Jn. 16:23; Jn. 16:24; Jn. 16:26; Jn. 17:6; Jn. 17:11; Jn. 17:12; Jn. 17:26; Jn. 18:10; Jn. 20:31; 1 Jn. 2:12; 1 Jn. 3:23; 1 Jn. 5:13; 3 Jn. 1:7; 3 Jn. 1:15; Rev. 2:3; Rev. 2:13; Rev. 2:17; Rev. 3:1; Rev. 3:4; Rev. 3:5; Rev. 3:8; Rev. 3:12; Rev. 6:8; Rev. 8:11; Rev. 9:11; Rev. 11:13; Rev. 11:18; Rev. 13:1; Rev. 13:6; Rev. 13:8; Rev. 13:17; Rev. 14:1; Rev. 14:11; Rev. 15:2; Rev. 15:4; Rev. 16:9; Rev. 17:3; Rev. 17:5; Rev. 17:8; Rev. 19:12; Rev. 19:13; Rev. 19:16; Rev. 21:12; Rev. 21:14; Rev. 22:4 So that (in order that)(2443) hina is a conjunction which is used as a marker of purpose, definition or result and is rendered in order that, that, so that. With the result or consequence that. With the particular aim or purpose of; in order that. See also Dana-Mantey Greek Grammar page 264 “So that” means “in order to” which answers the question “Why?” We use it to begin adverb clauses of purpose. Let’s hear an example: It helps to lower blood sugar so that you feel less hungry. The adverb clause is “so that you feel less hungry.” It shows the purpose for the action in the main clause. Why does it help to lower blood sugar? To feel less hungry. (LearnEnglish) ALL USES OF HINA IN JOHN'S EPISTLES - 1 Jn. 1:3; 1 Jn. 1:4; 1 Jn. 1:9; 1 Jn. 2:1; 1 Jn. 2:19; 1 Jn. 2:27; 1 Jn. 2:28; 1 Jn. 3:1; 1 Jn. 3:5; 1 Jn. 3:8; 1 Jn. 3:11; 1 Jn. 3:23; 1 Jn. 4:9; 1 Jn. 4:17; 1 Jn. 4:21; 1 Jn. 5:3; 1 Jn. 5:13; 1 Jn. 5:16; 1 Jn. 5:20; 2 Jn. 1:5; 2 Jn. 1:6; 2 Jn. 1:8; 2 Jn. 1:12; 3 Jn. 1:4; 3 Jn. 1:8; May know (1492)(eido in the perfect tense = oida) means speaks not of experiential knowledge, but of absolute, beyond a shadow of a doubt knowledge. It means to know with a settled, absolute, intuitive knowledge. Eido/oida is distinguished from ginosko because ginosko generally refers to knowledge obtained by experience or "experiential knowledge". Eido/oida often refers more to an intuitive knowledge, although this distinction is not always clear cut. Generally speaking, eido/oida is not so much that which is known by experience as an intuitive insight that is drilled into one's heart. Eido/oida is knowledge that is characterized by assurance, something known with certainty. Eido/oida is an intuitive knowledge which in the case of believers can only be given by the Holy Spirit. In sum, for believers eido/oida suggests Spirit given fullness of knowledge, absolute knowledge (that which is without a doubt), rather than a progress in knowledge (cp ginosko). EIDO IN JOHN'S EPISTLES - MOST USES (5) ARE FOUND IN CHAPTER 5 - 1 Jn. 2:11; 1 Jn. 2:20; 1 Jn. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:29; 1 Jn. 3:2; 1 Jn. 3:5; 1 Jn. 3:14; 1 Jn. 3:15; 1 Jn. 5:13; 1 Jn. 5:15; 1 Jn. 5:18; 1 Jn. 5:19; 1 Jn. 5:20; 3 Jn. 1:12; Eternal (166) aionios from aion) means existing at all times, perpetual, pertaining to an unlimited duration of time (Ro 1:20 - God's power, Mt 18:8 - God's place of judgment, Ro 16:26+ - God's attribute). Aionios (eternal) is the exact antithesis of proskairos (temporal). See additional discussion of aionios in study of eternal punishment, specifically the importance of an accurate understanding of aionios as a refutation of the false teaching of universalism (everyone will be saved). Mounce notes that aionios is an adjective which typically functions in three settings: the eternity of God and the divine realm; the blessings of salvation; and everlasting conditions that have neither beginning nor end. Is is worth noting that some evangelical writers believe eternal life but do not believe in eternal punishment. Jesus' own words clearly refute such specious teaching - “And these will go away into eternal (aionios) punishment, but the righteous into eternal (aionios) life.” (Mt 25:46+) While I do not like the thought of eternal punishment, I believe this declaration from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who spoke more about the subject of hell than anyone else. JOHN'S USES OF AIONIOS - Jn. 3:15; Jn. 3:16; Jn. 3:36; Jn. 4:14; Jn. 4:36; Jn. 5:24; Jn. 5:39; Jn. 6:27; Jn. 6:40; Jn. 6:47; Jn. 6:54; Jn. 6:68; Jn. 10:28; Jn. 12:25; Jn. 12:50; Jn. 17:2; Jn. 17:3; 1 Jn. 1:2; 1 Jn. 2:25; 1 Jn. 3:15; 1 Jn. 5:11; 1 Jn. 5:13; 1 Jn. 5:20; Rev. 14:6 ETERNAL LIFE - used 41x in 41v with over 50% of uses by John - Matt 19:16, 29; 25:46; Mark 10:17, 30; Luke 10:25; 18:18, 30; John 3:15-16, 36; 4:14; 5:24, 39; 6:27, 40, 47, 54, 68; 10:28; 12:50; 17:2-3; Acts 13:46, 48; Rom 2:7; 5:21; 6:22f; Gal 6:8; 1 Tim 1:16; 6:12; Titus 1:2; 3:7; 1John 1:2; 2:25; 3:15; 5:11, 13, 20; Jude 1:21 Life (2222) zoe in Scripture is used (1) to refer to physical life (Ro 8:38+, 1Co 3:22+, Php 1:20+, Jas 4:14+, etc) but more often to (2) to supernatural life in contrast to a life subject to eternal death (Jn 3:36+). This quality of life speaks of fullness of life which alone belongs to God the Giver of life and is available to His children now (Ro 6:4+, Ep 4:18+, Jn 20:31+) as well as in eternity future (Mk 10:30+, Titus 1:2+ on Eternal Life). In short, zoe describes the eternal life, the divine life which is only found in Jesus but which is available as a gift to all who believe He is the Son of God. Click for an in depth 8 PAGE discussion of zoe Kenneth Wuest on supernatural life - The ethical and spiritual qualities of this LIFE which God IS, are communicated to the sinner when the latter places his faith in the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and this becomes the new, animating, energizing, motivating principle which transforms the experience of that individual, and the saint thus lives a Christian life. (Eerdmans Publishing - used by permission) Lawrence Richards writes that "Zoe in classical Greek refers to natural life--the principle that enables living things to move and to grow. In the NT, zoe focuses on the theological meaning rather than on the biological. From the perspective of the NT, in every respect life is the counterpart of death. Each book of the NT speaks of zoe. In each, the principle of life lifts our vision beyond our earthly existence to reveal a unique quality of life that spans time and eternity and that has its roots in God. It is the biblical use and meaning of zoe that most concerns us as we examine what the NT says about life. (BORROW Expository Dictionary of Bible Words) ZOE USES BY JOHN - Jn. 1:4; Jn. 3:15; Jn. 3:16; Jn. 3:36; Jn. 4:14; Jn. 4:36; Jn. 5:24; Jn. 5:26; Jn. 5:29; Jn. 5:39; Jn. 5:40; Jn. 6:27; Jn. 6:33; Jn. 6:35; Jn. 6:40; Jn. 6:47; Jn. 6:48; Jn. 6:51; Jn. 6:53; Jn. 6:54; Jn. 6:63; Jn. 6:68; Jn. 8:12; Jn. 10:10; Jn. 10:28; Jn. 11:25; Jn. 12:25; Jn. 12:50; Jn. 14:6; Jn. 17:2; Jn. 17:3; Jn. 20:31; 1 Jn. 1:1; 1 Jn. 1:2; 1 Jn. 2:25; 1 Jn. 3:14; 1 Jn. 3:15; 1 Jn. 5:11; 1 Jn. 5:12; 1 Jn. 5:13; 1 Jn. 5:16; 1 Jn. 5:20; Rev. 2:7; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 3:5; Rev. 7:17; Rev. 11:11; Rev. 13:8; Rev. 16:3; Rev. 17:8; Rev. 20:12; Rev. 20:15; Rev. 21:6; Rev. 21:27; Rev. 22:1; Rev. 22:2; Rev. 22:14; Rev. 22:17; Rev. 22:19 You ought not to be a doubting Christian; you ought to be a shouting Christian. Adrian Rogers - I want you to look 1Jn 5:11 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life”—and then, here’s the verse. Look at it clearly and plainly—“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may”—now, you help me. What’s the next word?—“know”—K-N-O-W—“that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:11–13). Not think, not guess, not hope, not surmise, not wonder, but know with a rock-ribbed assurance that you have eternal life. Every Christian ought to have this privilege. You ought not to be a question mark with your head all bent over, wondering whether you’re saved. You ought to be an exclamation point standing up straight and tall, saying, “Thank God. I know if I died right now, I would go to Heaven. And, I know that I’m living this day in the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me, because I have been redeemed—I have been saved—by His power divine.” You ought not to be a doubting Christian; you ought to be a shouting Christian. You ought not to have a “hope-so salvation”; you ought to have a “know-so salvation.” (ED: OR "HOPE SURE SALVATION") And, this verse tells us that we can know it: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that [you] may know” (1 John 5:13). (A KNOW SO SALVATION) ILLUSTRATION - When Sir James Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform, was on his deathbed, a friend asked him, “Sir, what are your speculations?” Simpson replied: “Speculations! I have no speculations! ‘For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” (2Ti 1:12+) John Piper sums up 1 John - Summing up all these reasons for writing 1 John goes like this: I am writing because you are true believers, but there are deceivers in your midst, and I want you to be rock-solid confident in your present possession of eternal life as regenerate children of God, so that you are not drawn away after sin. And if this letter has that effect my joy will be complete. So at the heart of his reason for writing is the desire to help them know they are born again—that they now have new spiritual life. Eternal life. (See his full sermon for Eleven Evidences of the New Birth) D. MARTYN LLOYD-JONES 1 John 5:13 Eternal life means a life that can never be taken away from me If you have it, you ought to know it. And, if you do have it, you can never lose it. Adrian Rogers - John wanted them to have the proper assurance. Look, if you will, in 1 John chapter 5—and he’s going to tell us the fourth reason that he wrote this book. First John chapter 5 and verse 13—and remember each of these: he says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). He wants you to have the proper assurance. He wants you to know that you’re saved; and friend, if you don’t know that you’re saved, maybe it’s because you need to be saved. And, if you are saved and don’t know that you’re saved, it’s because you’re living beneath your privileges. You ought to be able to say, “Praise God! I know that I’m saved.” A New Testament Christian is not supposed to be a question mark, going around with his head all hung over; he’s supposed to be an exclamation point. He’s supposed to say, “I know that I’m saved.” I was in a hospital one time—led a woman to Jesus Christ who we believed was on her deathbed. And, I prayed with her, and she asked Christ into her heart (ED: CAVEAT - THIS IS NOT BIBLICAL) and asked Christ to save her. And then, I turned to one of her children, a grown man who was in that room. I said, “Isn’t that wonderful that your mother has been saved?” He said, “Nobody can know she’s saved. Nobody can know he’s saved in this life.”He was a member of a particular church. We have a lot of them around here, but I’m not going to call the name. And, he said, “Nobody can know that they’re saved.” He said, “The best you can do is you can just simply hope that you’re saved.” I said, “Friend, have you ever heard 1 John chapter 5, verse 13? ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that [you] may know that [you] have eternal life’ ” (1 John 5:13). Friend, if you can have it and not know it, you can lose it and not miss it. Amen. But, I want to tell you something, friend: if you have it, you ought to know it. And, if you do have it, you can never lose it. Related Resources on Assurance Assurance of Salvation - multiple articles, etc on one page A Believer's Assurance - John MacArthur Assurance by Hampton Keathley - topics 1. Preface to The Assured Life 1.1. Introduction to the Truth of Assurance 1.2. Assurance Regarding the Gospel 1.3. Assurance of Salvation 1.4. Assurance of Eternal Security 1.5. Assurance of God’s Daily Provision 1.6. Assurance of God’s Provision for Sin 1.7. Assurance of God’s Guidance 1.8. Assurance of Eternal Rewards 1 John 3:19-24 Blessed Assurance - sermon by Steven Cole Full Assurance - Sermon by C H Spurgeon Assurance of Salvation… How Can We Have Assurance? from Spurgeon gems webstie Heaven On Earth-A Serious Discourse Concerning a Well-Grounded Assurance-Thomas Brooks (1667) (See also Genuine assurance) Assurance of Salvation from John Newtons Letters Assurance by J C Ryle How can I have assurance of my salvation? How can a believer have assurance of salvation? What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith? If you doubt your salvation, does that mean you are not truly saved? What if I don't feel saved? Doubt vs. The Assurance of Salvation The Assurance of Conversion - Octavius Winslow Spurgeon's pastoral wisdom in dealing with a woman lacking assurance A Test of Assurance - How We Know Whether We Love God - Thomas Watson Assurance of Grace and Salvation - What It Is - William S Plumer The Assurance of Hope - John Angell James, 1859 Obedience to Christ Gives Assurance of the Truth of His Doctrines Archibald Alexander Nave Topical Bible Assurance Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Assurance Baker Evangelical Dictionary Assurance Charles Buck Dictionary Assurance CARM Theological Dictionary Assurance Easton's Bible Dictionary Assurance Holman Bible Dictionary Assurance Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Assurance Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Assurance Assurance (2) Watson's Theological Dictionary Assurance International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Assurance McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Assurance Related Resources on Eternal Life Nave Topical Bible Eternal Life Thompson Chain Reference Life, Eternal The Topic Concordance Eternal Life Torrey Topical Textbook Life, Eternal Baker's Evangelical Dictionary Eternal Life, Eternality, Everlasting Life CARM Theological Dictionary Eternal Life Easton's Bible Dictionary Eternal Life Holman Bible Dictionary Eternal Life Hastings' NT Dictionary Eternal Life (2) Eternal Life McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Eternal Life The Jewish Encyclopedia Eternal Life Know in 1 John - 40 times in 32 verse - 1 Jn. 2:3; 1 Jn. 2:4; 1 Jn. 2:5; 1 Jn. 2:11; 1 Jn. 2:13; 1 Jn. 2:14; 1 Jn. 2:18; 1 Jn. 2:20; 1 Jn. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:29; 1 Jn. 3:1; 1 Jn. 3:2; 1 Jn. 3:5; 1 Jn. 3:6; 1 Jn. 3:14; 1 Jn. 3:15; 1 Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 3:19; 1 Jn. 3:20; 1 Jn. 3:24; 1 Jn. 4:2; 1 Jn. 4:6; 1 Jn. 4:7; 1 Jn. 4:8; 1 Jn. 4:13; 1 Jn. 4:16; 1 Jn. 5:2; 1 Jn. 5:13; 1 Jn. 5:15; 1 Jn. 5:18; 1 Jn. 5:19; 1 Jn. 5:20; Danny Akin - See Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John - Page 139 - In a letter to a man named George Ticknor dated November 25, 1817, Thomas Jefferson was critical of state legislatures for not “perceiv[ing] the important truths that knowledge is power, that knowledge is safety, and that knowledge is happiness.” One might challenge particulars of Jefferson’s statement, but there is a ring of truth in it to be sure. The apostle John certainly thought knowledge was important. He was vitally concerned that his “little children” (v. 21) know a number of things to be true because they had come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. In fact, a quick survey of this five-chapter letter reveals at least the following things we can know: 1. We can know that we know God (1 John 2:3, 13, 14; 1 John 4:7). 2. We can know that we are in God (1 John 2:5). 3. We can know that it is the last hour (1 John 2:18). 4. We can know the truth (1 John 2:21; 1 John 3:19). 5. We can know that Jesus is righteous (1 John 2:29). 6. We can know that we will be like Jesus (1 John 3:2). 7. We can know that Jesus came to take away sins (1 John 3:5). 8. We can know that Jesus is sinless (1 John 3:5). 9. We can know that we have passed out of death into life (1 John 3:14). 10. We can know that no murderer has eternal life (1 John 3:15). 11. We can know love (1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:16). 12. We can know that God abides in us (1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:13). 13. We can know the Spirit of God (1 John 4:2). 14. We can know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception (1 John 4:6). 15. We can know that we love God’s children (1 John 5:2). 16. We can know that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13). 17. We can know that God answers prayer (1 John 5:15). 18. We can know that we will not practice sin (1 John 5:18). 19. We can know that we belong to God (1 John 5:19). 20. We can know that the Son of God has come (1 John 5:20). 21. We can know that the Son of God has given us understanding (1 John 5:20). 22. We can know Him who is true (1 John 5:20). It is clear from 1 John alone that the child of God can know and be certain of quite a lot! QUESTION - How can I have assurance of my salvation? Watch associated video ANSWER - The assurance of salvation is, simply put, knowing for sure that you are saved. Many Christians throughout history have written about their struggles in being assured of their salvation. The problem is that many followers of Jesus Christ look for the assurance of salvation in the wrong places. We tend to seek assurance of salvation in the things God is doing in our lives, in our spiritual growth, in the good works and obedience to God’s Word that is evident in our Christian walk. While these things can be evidence of salvation, they are not what we should base the assurance of our salvation on. Rather, we should find the assurance of our salvation in the objective truth of God’s Word. We should have confident trust that we are saved based on the promises God has declared, not because of our subjective experiences. How can you have assurance of salvation? Consider 1 John 5:11–13: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (emphasis added). Who is it that has the Son? It is those who have believed in Him (John 1:12). If you have Jesus, you have life. Not temporary life, but eternal. And, according to 1 John 5:13, you can know that you have this eternal life. God wants us to have assurance of our salvation. We should not live our Christian lives wondering and worrying each day whether we are truly saved. That is why the Bible makes the plan of salvation so clear. Believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). Do you believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sins and rose again from the dead (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)? Do you trust Him alone for salvation? If your answer to these questions is “yes,” you are saved! Assurance means freedom from doubt. By taking God’s Word to heart, you can have no doubt about the reality of your eternal salvation. Jesus Himself assures those who believe in Him: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28–29). Eternal life is just that—eternal. There is no one, not even yourself, who can take Christ’s God-given gift of salvation away from you. Take joy in what God’s Word is saying to you: instead of doubting, we can live with confidence! We can have the assurance from Christ’s own Word that our salvation will never be in question. Our assurance of salvation is based on the perfect and complete salvation God has provided for us through Jesus Christ. Are you trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior? If the answer is “yes,” rest assured, you are saved. GotQuestions.org QUESTION - What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith? ANSWER- This is one of the most important questions in the Christian life. Many believers doubt their salvation because they don’t see signs of genuine faith in their lives. There are those who say we should never doubt our decision to follow Christ, but the Bible encourages us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly “in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Thankfully, God has given us ample instruction for how we can know for sure that we have eternal life. The first epistle of John was actually written for that purpose, as it states in 1 John 5:13, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." There is a series of tests in 1 John that we can use to examine ourselves and our faith. As we look at them, remember that no one will perfectly fulfill all of them all the time, but they should reveal a consistent trend that characterizes our lives as we grow in grace. 1. Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people? (1 John 1:3) 2. Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in the darkness? (1 John 1:6-7) 3. Do you admit and confess your sin? (1 John 1:8) 4. Are you obedient to God’s Word? (1 John 2:3-5) 5. Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world? (1 John 2:15) 6. Is your life characterized by "doing what is right"? (1 John 2:29) 7. Do you seek to maintain a pure life? (1 John 3:3) 8. Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? (1 John 3:5-6) [Note: this refers to not continuing in sin as a way of life, not a total absence of sin.] 9. Do you demonstrate love for other Christians? (1 John 3:14) 10. Do you "walk the walk," versus just "talking the talk"? (1 John 3:18-19) 11. Do you maintain a clear conscience? (1 John 3:21) 12. Do you experience victory in your Christian walk? (1 John 5:4) If you bear these “birthmarks,” you can say with confidence that you are a child of God. -- Warren Wiersbe If you are able to truthfully answer "Yes" to these questions (or a majority of them, and are working on the others), then your life is bearing the fruit of true salvation. Jesus said that it is by our fruits that we are known as His disciples (Matthew 7:20). Fruitless branches—professing believers who do not display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are cut off and thrown into the fire (John 15:6). A genuine faith is one that not only believes in God (the demons themselves do that - James 2:19), but leads to open confession of sin and obedience to Christ’s commands. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but our works should display the reality of our salvation (James 2:17-18). Genuine saving faith will always produce works; a faith that is perpetually without works is no faith at all and saves no one. In addition to these confirmations, we need to remember God’s promises and the reality of the war we are in. Satan is just as real as Jesus Christ, and he is a formidable enemy of our souls. When we turn to Christ, Satan will look for every opportunity to deceive and defeat us. He will try to convince us that we are unworthy failures or that God has given up on us. When we are in Christ, we have the assurance that we are kept by Him. Jesus Himself prayed for us in John 17:11 that the Father would "protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one." Again in verse 15, He prayed, "keep them from the evil one." In John 10:27-29, Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." If you hear and obey the voice of Jesus, then you are one of His sheep, and He will never let you go. Jesus gave a wonderful word picture here of Christians securely held within His loving hands and the Father’s almighty hands wrapping themselves around His, giving us a double assurance of eternal security. GotQuestions.org Other Resources from Gotquestions.org: If you doubt your salvation, does that mean you are not truly saved? What if I don’t feel saved? How can I detect a false conversion? HELPING PEOPLE HAVE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION John Piper FULL ASSURANCE IS GOD'S WILL FOR US. "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end." Hebrews 6:11 ASSURANCE IS PARTIALLY SUSTAINED BY OBJECTIVE EVIDENCES FOR CHRISTIAN TRUTH. "To [his apostles] He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days." Acts 1:3 ASSURANCE CANNOT NEGLECT THE PAINFUL WORK OF SELF-EXAMINATION. "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5 ASSURANCE WILL DIMINISH IN THE PRESENCE OF CONCEALED SIN. "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long." Psalm 32:3 ASSURANCE COMES FROM HEARING THE WORD OF CHRIST. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 "These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." John 20:31 REPEATED FOCUSING ON THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST IS CRUCIAL FOR ASSURANCE. "Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith." Hebrews 10:21-22 WE MUST PRAY FOR EYES TO SEE THE TRUTHS THAT SUSTAIN ASSURANCE. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19 ASSURANCE IS NOT EASILY MAINTAINED IN PERSONAL ISOLATION. "And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you.'" 1 Corinthians 12:21 ASSURANCE IS NOT DESTROYED BY GOD'S DISPLEASURE AND DISCIPLINE. "Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness." Micah 7:8-9 WE MUST OFTEN WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE RETURN OF ASSURANCE. "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD." Psalm 40:1-3 ASSURANCE IS A FIGHT TO THE DAY WE DIE. "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life." 1 Timothy 6:12 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 ASSURANCE IS FINALLY A GIFT OF THE SPIRIT. "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God." Romans 8:16 "The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself... And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:10-11 Longing for your assurance, Pastor John (Source) Assurance - Gerald L. Borchert In the midst of a world filled with uneasiness and insecurity, assurance of a person's security in God is one of the hallmarks of the authentic Christian life. Such assurance is not based on human resources, abilities, or ingenuity, but on confidence in the caring power of God for believers. Such divine concern in the life of an individual or a community of faith is not to be likened to some superficial good luck charm or magical incantation that protects a person against the traumas and tragedies of human existence. Instead, assurance in God provides an anchor of confidence and hope (Hebrews 6:18 ) in the midst of pain and sorrow, because the believer has learned the secret of casting all worries and cares on God, who is genuinely concerned for people (1 Peter 5:7 ). Assurance can be linked to faith and faithfulness (Hebrews 10:22 ), because it is one of the ways that the biblical writers describe an authentic relationship with God. While reliance on God is accompanied by the confidence that God is intimately involved in the lives of believers (1 John 5:14 ), faith in God does not earn a sense of security or assurance. Moreover, it cannot be achieved by attendance at church, by works of kindness, or by ecclesiastical pardon. The foundation for the assurance of one's salvation or well-being with God is rooted in a divine gift. God is the provider of salvation in Jesus Christ ( John 3:16 ; 2Col 5:18-19). Moreover, it is God who will bring to completion this divine gift (Philippians 1:6 ). It is this assurance that God continues to work in the lives of believers that is the basis for the Christian doctrine of perseverance—endurance or continuing response to God's leading (Ephesians 6:18 ; Hebrews 12:1 ; James 1:25 ). Assurance and perseverance are two sides of the same message. Assurance of a relationship with God in Christ is the way believers express the mysterious connection between the infinite nature of God and the fallible nature of humanity. Life with God (whether in ancient Israel or in Christianity) is a dynamic reality, not some chess game in which God moves all the pawns and kings without reference to human response (note the amazing conditional statement in Jeremiah 18:7-10 ). Resisting temptation (with divine help cf. Matthew 6:13 ; 1 John 5:14 ) is a key to sense of security in God (cf. 1Col 10:13; James 4:7 ). Evil and the devil are not some toys with which believers can play (1 Peter 5:8-9 ). But believers are not left to their own resources. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers is a guarantee or assurance that God is at work in believers' lives (2Col 1:22; 5:5). It is through the Spirit that believers know the reality of God's presence in their lives (1 John 4:13 ). Forces external to them will never be able to separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39 ); no power (symbolized by robber or wolf) is able to steal believers (symbolized by sheep) out of the loving arms of God's Son (John 10:28 ). This sense of assurance for believers is not merely limited to the present era on earth, but the resurrection of Jesus assures Christians that they are not deluded in their expectation of a future hope with their Lord (1 Corinthians 15:17-20 ). The resurrection of Jesus is the powerful guarantee that Christian preaching and faith are not in vain (v. 14). The Holy Spirit's presence provides assurance that Christians will receive their promised inheritance with God (Ephesians 1:14 ). (BED) Jerry Bridges - WITH NO UNCERTAINTY Be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure. (2 PETER 1:10) Life is filled with uncertainties, some major, some minor. But whether the issue is significant or trivial—waiting for the results of a cancer biopsy or wondering if you’ll make your connecting flight—no one likes uncertainty. “How may we attain a right relationship with God?” is the most important question we can ever ask. That being true, it follows that uncertainty over whether that relationship is real has to be the greatest uncertainty of all. If a cancer biopsy rates an eight or nine on our stress scale, this question has to be off the chart. God, however, doesn’t want us to be uncertain about it. As the apostle John said, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). God wants us to know we have eternal life. To some people the claim to know such a thing sounds presumptuous and arrogant. But if God wants us to know it, we’re only laying hold of what pleases Him when we affirm our assurance of eternal life. How then can I know that I have eternal life—that I’ve indeed come into a right relationship with God? The Scriptures show us three means by which God assures us that we do have eternal life: (1) the promises of His Word, (2) the witness of the Spirit in our hearts, and (3) the transforming work of the Spirit in our lives. The unsearchable riches of Christ are a treasure trove of blessings given to us. Part of that treasure is the assurance God gives that we do have eternal life. Don’t stop short of availing yourself of His riches until you have that assurance. Horatius Bonar - ETERNAL LIFE IN BELIEVING ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.’—1 JOHN 5:13. IT is the beloved disciple who here writes to us, expressing his own mind and that of the Holy Ghost; he who of all the disciples had been nearest to the Master, and known both the love and the life that were in Him; he who said, ‘In Him was life, and the life was the light of men,’—it is he who writes to us these words of grace. Let us listen to him. We shall find in what he says little about himself, but much about the Master. With Him Christ is all and in all. I. To whom he writes.—‘To them that believe on the name of the Son of God.’ This is their special mark or character; that by which the Holy Spirit distinguishes them, and by which He would have them know themselves. They are not singled out as better or worthier than others; they were part of that world which lieth in wickedness. But they believed in the name of the Son of God, and this made them what they became. They have nothing to say for themselves but this, ‘We believed in the name of the Son of God;’ or, as John puts it elsewhere, ‘We have known and believed the love that God hath to us.’ God’s description of a Christian is just ‘He is one who believes on the name of His Son.’ How simple and comforting! How this brushes aside the metaphysical and unbelieving perplexities with which many souls surround themselves; dwelling on marks and evidences innumerable, instead of at once taking themselves the comfort of knowing that a Christian is one who believes in the name of the Son of God! Let us mark each word. (1) ‘The Son of God:’ the only-begotten of the Father; the Word; the Christ; God manifest in the flesh; the Son of God. (2) ‘The name:’ that revealed display of this Son of God which has been given us by the testimony of the Father to the Son; not simply the words or names, but the name; the divine revelation or interpretation of the character, the person, the work of His Son. (3) ‘Believe:’ receive the Father’s testimony as such; not man’s word, but God’s. Our reception of the Father’s testimony to the true character of the Son;—this it is that makes us Christians. This is the divine definition or designation of a Christian man,—he believes on the name of the Son of God. II. What he writes.—‘These things have I written to you.’ This refers not to the preceding verses merely, but to the whole epistle. Let us note some of the special things which embody the substance of what John writes. (1.) The life was manifested.—It came out, and it came down to us. It was not hidden or mysterious. (2.) The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.—Both in his gospel and in his epistle he bears witness of the blood,—the cleansing blood. (3.) Confession and forgiveness.—The sinner says, ‘I have sinned;’ God says, ‘I freely pardon.’ (4.) The love of God.—He laid down His life for us. Herein is love! Love in coming and in dying. God is love. (5.) Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.—The message is that Jesus is the Christ; and that he who believeth it becomes a son. (6.) This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life.—A record or testimony from God is proclaimed to us. It is a testimony concerning life, and concerning Him in whom it is. These are some of the things concerning which John here speaks. They are all of them most good and true. They suit us, and they are meant for us. They are the fountainhead of blessing, the wells of living water, at which we stand and drink. They carry us back to the closing chapters of John’s gospel, and specially to that verse, ‘These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name’ (John 20:31). III. Why he writes.—His purpose in writing is thus stated: ‘That ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.’ It is a twofold object that he has in view in writing. (1.) That they might know that they had eternal life.—To have a thing, and to know that we have it, are not always the same thing. I may have a thing, and yet I may be unconscious or incredulous of possessing it. John writes these blessed words of truth that we may know that we have life in believing on the name of the Son of God. He thus rebukes and condemns those who say, I believe on the name of the Son of God, yet I don’t know whether I have life. He tells us that they who believe have the life, and ought to be satisfied of this, and not to remain uncertain. It is as if he were speaking to some and saying, ‘You do not know your privileges: you say you believe, yet you are still hesitating as to whether any consequences flow to you from that believing; you are still as uncertain as to your being in possession of eternal life as if you had never believed at all.’ He writes to remove all doubt and darkness and distrust. The things which he writes are such, that, as soon as believed, they ought to assure us that we are heirs of life eternal. (2.) That they might believe on the name of the Son of God.—That is, that they might go on in this their faith, continuing as they had begun; not resting on a past faith, but increasing more and more in this belief. Often in the gospels we read that ‘His disciples believed on Him,’ though they had believed already. What Jesus did or spoke increased and strengthened faith. So is it here. John’s object in what he writes is to give us a new impulse in believing; for, just as we need continual breathing and feeding, so we need continual believing. The air we breathe and the food we eat must be pure and wholesome, so must the doctrine be on which our faith is nourished. Do we seek continuance of faith, increase of faith? Read and re-read what John has written. Thus faith comes; and thus it waxes stronger and stronger. Alan Redpath - On July 2, 1937, aviatrix Amelia Earhart and her flight companion, Lieutenant Commander Fred Noonan, vanished in the vicinity of Howland Island in the South Pacific. They were attempting a round-the-world flight in a twin-engine Lockheed aircraft. In her last radio contact with a United States naval vessel, Miss Earhart transmitted this terse message: “Position doubtful.” She undoubtedly knew her approximate position, but because she didn’t know her precise position she and her flight companion went to their deaths. A man once came to D. L. Moody and said he was worried because he didn’t feel saved. Moody asked, “Was Noah safe in the ark?” “Certainly he was,” the man replied. “Well, what made him safe, his feeling or the ark?” The inquirer got the point. “How foolish I’ve been,” he said. “It is not my feeling; it is Christ who saves.” One day a friend who was filled with doubt and spiritual perplexity asked the Scottish preacher McLeod Campbell, “Pastor, you always seem to have peace of soul. Tell me, how can you feel that you’ve got such a tight hold on God?” With a smile Campbell exclaimed, “I don’t always feel that I have hold of Him, but praise the Lord, I know that He always has hold of me.” A little boy was being tempted by the Devil when the boy was in bed. He was getting nowhere with the temptations the Devil was bringing. Then he finally opened his Bible to 1 John 5:13, put it under his bed, and said to the Devil, “Here, you read it for yourself.” Remember Whose You Are - Frank Ray 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. John the beloved disciple was responsible for penning at least three books of the New Testament—the Gospel of John, the 1, 2, and 3 epistles of John and the book of Revelation. John met the Lord at the age of twenty-five. Now he is around ninety-five years of age. He has experience under his belt. He is an old man but he is equipped to get the story out. The first epistle of John is a specific book just for folk that are born again. It’s a book written for saved, sanctified, baptized, and filled with the Holy Ghost people. It is a book for the Saints. He wants his saints reassured concerning who they are and whose they are. The devil will try to convince you that you aren’t saved. He wants you to believe that you don’t have a thing. You need to have repeated reassurance of who you are and whose you are. So there is a word used over thirty times in the epistles of John and that is the word know. That ye may know that ye have eternal life. You see if you can have Jesus and not know, then you just might lose him and not miss him. So I don’t want to guess about my salvation; I don’t want to hope I’m saved, or think I’m saved, or hope one day I will be saved. No, I need to know about that, because life is too precious for me to spend all that time wondering and not knowing until I get to the gate. Then it’s too late. I need to know I’m saved while I’m down here. There are too many fringe benefits for me to miss this while I’m here. I’m not saved just to go to Heaven; I’ve got some fringe benefits just by being saved. I have a closer walk with Him. So He places the key in the middle of the book to share with us the purpose of writing this book. He wrote the book for our assurance of eternal life through Jesus. The Written Promise - From Generation to Generation: Devotional Thoughts “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”—1 John 5:13 A man once told H. A. Ironside, “I won’t go a foot further until I know I am saved, or else know it is hopeless to seek to be sure of it.”