The Basis of Christian Assurance(3)
We began a series on the book of 1 John. The overall theme of this book is Christian Certainty. Last time we looked at The Divine Answer to Sin & today we forge ahead to;
1 JOHN 2:3–11
The tests of a true relationship with God.
There are two factors which must be present in the line of a person who says “I know Him.” They are (1) Obedience to the word, vs. 3–6, and (2) Love for one’s brother vs.7–10. Without these Christian profession is a lie, v.4, and the individual is in darkness, v.11.
Obedience is the proof of loving Him, v.5. Obedience is the proof of avoiding Sin, v.6. Obedience is summed up as “walking as He walked” and it is only possible within the relationship of “abiding in Him” (of. John 15:4–5, “without Me ye can do nothing”). John Stott calls obedience “the moral test”.
v.7–8 (cf. John 13:34) Loving one another is not a new commandment but the old commandment which is renewed in Christ, v.7–8 (cf. John 13:34). The renewed commandment is true in Him and in you v.8, because we have been brought out of darkness into light. It is not only an external commandment now — in Christ — it is in you — “the law not written upon tablets of stone but in the heart.” Being in the light means loving our brother, 9–11. Hate is the Opposite of love and is darkness. Unlove (hate) causes ourselves and others to stumble, v10. Unlove results in spiritual blindness v11. Lack of love distorts everything; without love it is impossible to see our way, we cannot see the Lord and we cannot see others in “the right light”.
Taken from Bible Notes; The entrance of thy words giveth light; May 1978, of Geneva Road Baptist Church: K.Maudsley, Birmingham
