In 1 John 3, John gives a test to his readers so that they may have assurance of salvation—the test of obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word. John says that you can know whether or not you have eternal life based on your obedience to Jesus Christ.
According to the New Testament, habitually practicing sin proves that you are what Scripture calls a child of the devil—perpetually sinning, just as he does. On the other hand, habitually practicing righteousness, according to Jesus Christ and His Word, demonstrates your true spiritual ancestry: that you are a child of God.
In these verses, John helps his readers identify their spiritual ancestry in no uncertain terms: If someone does not consistently practice righteousness, they are not part of the family of God. John goes on to say that if you do not love one another, you’re not part of the family of God.
The apostle John wrote 1 John to real, authentic Christians who believed in the biblical Jesus and the biblical gospel. They continued to obey Christ and His Word and to love other believers. John wrote to give them the hope and assurance of eternal life.
Recent Comments