THE BIRTHMARKS OF A BELIEVER (7 OF 8)
by Scott Maze
Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5
This content is part of a series.
The Birthmarks of a Believer (7 of 8)
Series: Truth of Life
Scott Maze
1 John 5:1-5
How do I know if I really am a Christian? John gives us three indicators that God has saved us: ''Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?'' (1 John 5:1-5)
John will give us three signs of how we know we have experienced the new birth. I did not say here are three signs to earn your salvation but here are 3 signs you have eternal life. None of these are optional and all three are meant to be signs to assure you that you possess eternal life. They are right belief (the doctrinal mark), right love (the moral mark), and right behavior (the ethical or social mark).
1. The New Birth is Believing in Jesus
''Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.'' (1 John 5:1)
We know we have eternal life when we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Three times John will speak of believing or faith (1 John 5:1, 4, 5). Belief is the result of the new birth and not the cause of the new birth. The person who believes Jesus is the Messiah is someone who is born again. If you presently believe then you have been born again. The assurance of my salvation doesn't come from that I did trust Christ but I am trusting Christ. The focus of our faith is two fold in verse one.
1.1 Know Who to Believe
To believe means to trust, to rely on: ''Who is the liar but he who denies ...
Series: Truth of Life
Scott Maze
1 John 5:1-5
How do I know if I really am a Christian? John gives us three indicators that God has saved us: ''Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?'' (1 John 5:1-5)
John will give us three signs of how we know we have experienced the new birth. I did not say here are three signs to earn your salvation but here are 3 signs you have eternal life. None of these are optional and all three are meant to be signs to assure you that you possess eternal life. They are right belief (the doctrinal mark), right love (the moral mark), and right behavior (the ethical or social mark).
1. The New Birth is Believing in Jesus
''Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.'' (1 John 5:1)
We know we have eternal life when we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Three times John will speak of believing or faith (1 John 5:1, 4, 5). Belief is the result of the new birth and not the cause of the new birth. The person who believes Jesus is the Messiah is someone who is born again. If you presently believe then you have been born again. The assurance of my salvation doesn't come from that I did trust Christ but I am trusting Christ. The focus of our faith is two fold in verse one.
1.1 Know Who to Believe
To believe means to trust, to rely on: ''Who is the liar but he who denies ...
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