1 John 05:01-05 – Three Tests of Authentic Christianity – audio

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Text: 1 John 5:1-5 (Reading by Andy Anderson)

Introduction

1. As we began our study of First John, it was noted that it had a different objective than the Gospel of John

a. John wrote his gospel in order that one might have eternal life – John 20:30-31

b. His epistle was written so that one might know they have eternal life – 1 John 5:13

2. Throughout his epistle, then, John has mentioned the kind of things that provide evidence that one is truly a child of God, possessing fellowship with the Father and the Son – 1 John 3:10

3. There are actually several tests that John has been applying by which we can know that we have eternal life, and in the text for our study (1 John 5:1-5), they are mentioned together

Body

I. THE TEST OF BELIEF

A. IN PARTICULAR, BELIEF IN JESUS

1. As the Christ – 1 John 5:1a

2. As the Son of God – 1 John 5:5b

3. Who has come in the flesh – 1 John 4:2

B. TO DENY JESUS AS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD

1. Makes one a liar and antichrist – 1 John 2:22

2. Makes fellowship with the Father and the Son impossible – 1 John 2:22-23

C. THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCH FAITH IN JESUS

1. Necessary for one to be born of God – 1 John 5:1a

a. Just as faith in God is necessary to please Him – Hebrews 11:6

b. So faith in Jesus is necessary to experience eternal life – John 8:24

2. Necessary for one to overcome the world – 1 John 5:4-5

a. We can overcome the world only through the One who lives in us – 1 John 4:4

b. But with such strength, we can do anything God desires of us – Philippians 4:13

II. THE TEST OF LOVE

A. JESUS HAD MADE BROTHERLY LOVE

1. A mark of discipleship – John 13:34-35

2. A commandment to prove we are His friends – John 15:12-14, 17

B. JOHN HAD STRESSED BROTHERLY LOVE

1. As evidence of abiding in the light – 1 John 2:10

2. As evidence of being a child of God – 1 John 3:10

3. As evidence of having passed from death to live – 1 John 3:14

4. As evidence of knowing God and being born of God – 1 John 4:7-8

C. AND NOW, IN DISCUSSING BROTHERLY LOVE

1. John describes it as a necessary corollary to loving God – 1 John 5:1a

a. If you love God who brings forth children

b. …then you must love those children who have come from Him!

2. John reveals how we can be sure that we love God’s children by loving God and keeping His commandments – 1 John 5:2

a. I may claim to love my brethren

b. But if I do not love God and keep His commandments, my claim is a shallow one!

III. THE TEST OF OBEDIENCE

A. JOHN HAD EMPHASIZED THIS TEST EARLIER

1. As essential to having fellowship with the Father – 1 John 1:6-7

2. As essential to knowing Jesus – 1 John 2:3-4

3. As essential to loving God – 1 John 2:5

4. As essential to abiding in Jesus – 1 John 2:6

5. As essential to being a child of God – 1 John 3:10

6. As essential to having our prayers answered – 1 John 3:22

B. NOW HE STRESSES THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL TO

1. Loving the children of God – 1 John 5:2

2. Loving God Himself – 1 John 5:3a

C. TO JOHN, HOWEVER, THIS TEST IS NOT A BURDEN

1. The commandments of God are not burdensome – 1 John 5:3b

2. Though he had served the Lord for many years (possibly 50 or more), he had not found the commandments grievous

3. His attitude toward commandment-keeping was like that of David’s – Psalms 19:7-11

Conclusion

1. In these three areas, then, we find the proof of authentic Christianity:

a. Belief in Jesus as the Son of God who came in the flesh

b. Love for the brethren

c. Obedience in keeping the commandments of God

2. It is interesting that today

a. Many people do not have any problem with the first two (belief and love)

b. But will often balk when told they need to be obedient to the commands of Jesus Christ (Oh, you are just being legalistic!)

3. But if we really love God and His children, if we really believe in Jesus as the Son of God who came in the flesh and died for our sins, then the commandments of the Lord will not be grievous

a. If you love Me, keep My commandments. – John 14:15

4. Are we passing the tests of authentic Christianity?