Sermons From First John - Three Tests Of Authentic Christianity (5:1-5)

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                      "THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN"

             Three Tests Of Authentic Christianity (5:1-5)

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
      - Jn 20:30-31
   b. His epistle was written so that one might "know" they have 
      eternal life - 1Jn 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 - e.g., 1Jn 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 (1Jn 5:1-5), they are mentioned together (READ)

[In these verses there are "Three Tests Of Authentic Christianity",
and the first one is...]

I. THE TEST OF "BELIEF"

   A. IN PARTICULAR, BELIEF IN JESUS...
      1. As the Christ - 1Jn 5:1a
      2. As the Son of God - 1Jn 5:5b
      3. Who has come in the flesh - cf. 1Jn 4:2

   B. TO DENY JESUS AS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD...
      1. Makes one a liar and antichrist - cf. 1Jn 2:22
      2. Makes fellowship with the Father and the Son impossible - cf. 
         1Jn 2:22-23; 2Jn 7-9

   C. THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCH FAITH IN JESUS...
      1. Necessary for one to be "born of God" - 1Jn 5:1a
         a. Just as faith in God is necessary to please Him - He 11:6
         b. So faith in Jesus is necessary to experience eternal life -
            cf. Jn 8:24; Ac 8:36-37
      2. Necessary for one to "overcome the world" - 1Jn 5:4-5
         a. We can overcome the world only through the One who lives in
            us - cf. 1Jn 4:4
         b. But with such strength, we can do anything God desires of 
            us - cf. Php 4:13

[Without faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God who came in the 
flesh, we cannot be born of God and so live so as to overcome the 
world!

But is "belief in Jesus" the only test of authentic Christianity?  

Not according to Jesus, as found in Jn 8:30-31.  As taught by both 
Jesus and His beloved disciple John, there is also...]

II. THE TEST OF "LOVE"

   A. JESUS HAD MADE BROTHERLY LOVE...
      1. A mark of discipleship - Jn 13:34-35
      2. A commandment to prove we are His friends - Jn 15:12-14,17

   B. JOHN HAD STRESSED BROTHERLY LOVE...
      1. As evidence of abiding in the light - 1Jn 2:10
      2. As evidence of being a child of God - 1Jn 3:10
      3. As evidence of having passed from death to live - 1Jn 3:14
      4. As evidence of knowing God and being born of God - 1Jn 4:7-8

   C. AND NOW, IN DISCUSSING BROTHERLY LOVE...
      1. John describes it as a necessary corollary to loving God - 
         1Jn 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 
         (i.e., have brotherly love):  by loving God and keeping His 
         commandments - 1Jn 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!

[One who is truly "born of God" not only believes in Jesus, then, but 
also loves the children of God.

In discussing the necessity of loving the children of God, John 
mentioned keeping the commandments of God.  This leads to the third 
test of authentic Christianity, that of...]

III. THE TEST OF "OBEDIENCE"

   A. JOHN HAD EMPHASIZED THIS TEST EARLIER...
      1. As essential to having fellowship with the Father - 1Jn 1:6-7
      2. As essential to knowing Jesus - 1Jn 2:3-4
      3. As essential to loving God - 1Jn 2:5
      4. As essential to abiding in Jesus - 1Jn 2:6
      5. As essential to being a child of God - 1Jn 3:10
      6. As essential to having our prayers answered - 1Jn 3:22

   B. NOW HE STRESSES THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL TO...
      1. Loving the children of God - 1Jn 5:2
      2. Loving God Himself - 1Jn 5:3a

   C. TO JOHN, HOWEVER, THIS "TEST" IS NOT A BURDEN...
      1. The commandments of God are not "burdensome" - 1Jn 5:3b
      2. Though he had served the Lord for many years (possibly 50 or 
         more), he had not found the commandments "grievous" (KJV)
      3. His attitude toward "commandment-keeping" was like that of 
         David's - Ps 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...
               
           "If you love Me, keep My commandments." - Jn 14:15

Are we passing the tests of authentic Christianity?
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