SOME QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
I John 5:1-13 “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son.”
A basic need for security is a part of the human condition. Men spend lifetimes planning and preparing to purchase a place and position of real security at the end of their days. It is commonly understood that a sense of security is one of a woman’s strongest emotional needs. Yet the temporal nature of life outside Christ, makes material security a mere momentary illusion, at best. In the words of James, “Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” (James 4:14-15)
There was once a brilliant young man, a non-Christian, who visited his family doctor, a Christian, the day before his graduation from High School. Being a long time friend of the family, the doctor asked him, “What do you plan to do now that you are graduating?” The young man enthusiastically replied, “I hope to study medicine and become a doctor like you.” “What will you do then?” His doctor friend asked. “I will marry and have a family,” the young man responded. “What then?” The Christian doctor asked again. “I plan to have a good practice, earn good money, save and prepare for an early retirement.” “What then?” The doctor persisted. “I hope to travel with my wife and see the world,” The young man said. “What then?” The doctor said. The young man thoughtfully replied, “I guess I will grow old and die.” The doctor quietly and compassionately looked the young man in the eye and said, “What then?” Then beginning with, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27); he led the young man to Christ, preparing him not only for life, but for eternity.
The need for security is not only one of man’s very basic needs, but eternal security is a primary spiritual need as well. One of the great needs of young Christians, as well as some who are older in the faith, is to know God in all His love and to know the Lord Jesus Christ and feel secure in Him. In His role as the Great and Good Shepherd, our Savior focuses upon this need by emphasizing the real security His sheep have in Him. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)
The great scientist, Sir Michael Farady was asked upon his death bed by a reporter, “What is your speculation about the hereafter, Sir Michael?” Sir Michael reportedly replied, “I have no speculation sir, but ‘ . . for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.’ “ (II Tim. 1:12b) You see, this great man was a simple Christian who believed he was eternally secure in Christ Jesus. It is said that a chaplain of dubious spiritual foundation once visited an old saint of God who was terminally ill in the hospital. He asked the man his religious persuasion. The man replied, “I am of Paul’s persuasion!” He then quoted Paul’s statement to young Timothy on the matter.
But some find it difficult to grow up into real spiritual security. One man who claimed to be a Christian was asked if he was saved. He replied, “Oh yes. I’ve been saved off and on for nearly thirty years now.” From the way some of those who call themselves Christians live, this might well be the case, if it is up to a Christian to keep himself saved by his own efforts. But, of course, all that glitters is not gold and merely saying a thing doesn’t make it so. But thanks be unto God we who are truly saved are kept by the grace and mercy of God.
In this passage we find a number of definitive statements that lay a foundation for our salvation and eternal security. If we allow ourselves to consider the matter, these statements raise some clear and concise questions that one should ask if he wishes to make his election and calling sure and determine if he is really in the faith. LET US CONSIDER SOME QUES- TIONS WORTH ASKING.
John first statement raises the most basic question of all, HAVE YOU BEEN BORN OF GOD? In spite of the popular contemporary religious philosophy that holds otherwise, modern man must still be born again. At least, that’s what our Savior said, and that settles it as far as I am concerned. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
The dilution and distortion of the definition of the expression, “ye must be born again,” is one of the serious signs of the apostasy of our day. Those who simply say I am a born again Christian run the risk of being branded some sort of silly fanatic, prone to displays of intellectual and emotional imbalance. In view of the strange, extreme and uncontrolled activi- ties of some of those who claim to be fundamental Bible believers, this misunderstanding and misconception is understandable, although indeed lamentable and regrettable. It would make one wonder if Jesus were to return to our contemporary culture would He be counseled by well meaning Christians to avoid the use of the term He said was absolutely necessary if a person was to see the kingdom of God? I was recently told that scripture teachers who teach the religious material dictated by the state in our public schools are not even allowed to use the term. This is symptomatic of the materialistic malady we Christians have allowed to permeate our culture.
The public perception and popular understanding of the concept of being born again has not been helped by the adoption of the expression by the secular world around us. We hear of “born again” politicians, economists and educationalists. The obvious connotation given the term is that anyone undergoing a radical change or conversion in his thinking or position in his particular field has been “born again.” As far as it goes, this concept is correct. Anyone who is truly born again spiritually undergoes the most radical change or conversion imaginable. Saul, the killer and persecutor of Christians, who was born again on the road to Damascus, was so radically changed that he became Paul, the lover of Christ and Christians, and would himself suffer relentless persecution and eventually die by the blade of an executioner’s axe for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The term born again implies a new beginning. A new beginning is always a fascinating and exciting prospect. The drug addict who goes cold turkey in an attempt to throw off the terrible and destructive effects of addiction, is usually motivated by the prospect of a new drug free life. The smoker or compulsive gambler, each a slavish captive of his sinful compulsion, longs for the freedom of a real and lasting new beginning. Many are subject to the same sort of fascination at times. If they could just wipe the slate of sin and failure clean and start all over again, geographically, vocationally, financially or even matrimonially, the new begin- ning would surely lead to good success.
But would it? Does an attempt to deal with and eliminate failures of the past guarantee suc- cess in the future? Does turning over a new leaf ensure we will not spoil it also? The story of a little boy who, after spilling milk on his mother’s clean, mopped floor, wrote on her kitchen slate, “Mother if you forgive me, please wipe up my spilled milk and erase this note,” speaks to us all of our need for more than mere forgiveness of the past and a new opportunity for the future. When Jesus said, “You must be born again - from above,” He spoke of our basic need for a real new beginning. As new and different creatures in Christ we have a new spiritual capacity for real and continuing change that ultimate culminates in the consummation of God’s eternal will for our life. The person who has truly been born again can be sure his spiritual change is permanent and lasting. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Phil. 1:6) HAVE YOU BEEN BORN AGAIN?
In the same breath John raises the question, ARE YOU A REAL BELIEVER IN CHRIST? In case the implication of the statement was not understood, He repeats the essence of it toward the end of the Chapter. In this He equates true belief with having and possessing eternal life. A real believer has repented of his sins and self-reliance and possesses an absolute and unqualified trust in Christ and His all sufficient sacrifice on the cross as the only source of spiritual life and a righteous stance before God. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (I Peter 2:24)
When asking this question, we must always remember there is a fundamental difference in believing about something and believing in someone. This principle was clearly and extremely stated when James said, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19) His statement makes it clear that it is not enough to intellectually perceive and merely give mental assent to the existence of God and His Son Jesus Christ.
I am sure many of us have had friends and acquaintances through the years that we know exist and we believe a lot of things about them. We may know their name, age, job, where they live; their habits and their character. Many times just because we know and believe these things we would have no absolute faith and trust in them. We would hesitate to place our pay packet into their hands and trust them to deposit it into our bank accounts. We would not wish to commit anything very valuable and worthwhile into their sole care.
Real belief and faith in Christ entails a complete committal of ones soul and eternal fu- ture into His eternal care. This sort of faith precludes any trust in our own abilities or efforts, past, present or future, to procure eternal life. It cannot be stated any more clearly or concisely than, “ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
If you are a real believer in Christ you can not only trust Him to save you, but to keep you eternally as well. “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (I Pet. 1:5) Many years ago, when a five dollar note was really worth something, one of my very young children received her first one from her grandfather as a birthday gift. She then brought to me and asked me to place it in my wallet for safe keeping. I remember this made me feel good; since it seemed she trusted me and felt my wallet was the safest place for her great treasure. But my good feeling was somewhat diluted when she came a number of times and asked me if she could look in my wallet to make sure her great fortune was still there! Real belief in Christ accepts that when we deposit of our eternal soul into His eternal care we are safe forever.
HAS THERE BEEN A REAL SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE is another ques- tion clearly implied in this passage. This change could be viewed as a change from a selfish, self-focused life, to a selfless God-focused life. A change from a profane and prideful pursuit of worldly pleasure and self-fulfillment to a purposeful pursuit of a life that is pure and pleasing unto God. Paul places this change of focus and purpose in these simple words, “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (II Cor. 5:17) An obviously radical concept of change is clearly and concisely stated here. The idea of laying aside old things and pursuing new things is made even more specific in another statement by Paul, “That ye put off concerning the former con- versation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteous- ness and true holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24)
Jesus spoke not only of the method of such change, but of the mechanics as well, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:1-3) Those who have been changed inwardly by the washing of regeneration will ultimately display that transformation outwardly as well. A new spiritual creature in Christ Jesus has a change in attitude and mind-set that will be expressed in a desire to live a clean and pure life that would please and glorify God. This clearly confirms salvation because the attitudes and desires of the old man are obviously opposed to a God pleasing life of purity.
It is not necessarily natural for man to practice purity and cleanliness. What young child naturally and normally likes to have a bath? The ordinary child resists and struggles against the whole idea. But loving and caring parents insist upon cleanliness. A clean child makes a statement about a family. After all, isn’t cleanliness next to Godliness? In matters of personal hygiene, the care and concern of parents is confirmed by the child who grows up to take pride in his personal appearance. The spiritual parallel is obvious. Has there been a real significant change in your life? Do you positively respond to God’s admonition, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,” (II Cor. 6:17) Does your life reflect the change John speaks about earlier? “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (I John 3:3)
This question is really relevant to our radical world today. Those who call themselves Christians increasingly speak of the difficulties involved in living a separated life. I am con- stantly being told that the simple minimal standards of morality that Christians have accepted as being basic for centuries are just too difficult to achieve in our ungodly culture. My heart is broken repeatedly as I see those who have professed a faith in Christ for months and even years falling away into worldliness and immorality. But I know the truth and principle of true repentance and faith being expressed in radical life change has not been eradicated or changed in the Word of God. I can only seek a solution and some small solace in another earlier statement made by John, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” (I John 2:19)
Another question worth asking highlighted in this passage is DO YOU REALLY LOVE GOD? Are you really thankful for what He and His Son have done for you? Why do you love Him? “We love him, because he first loved us.” (I John 4:19) Are you thankful enough to translate your love for Him into more than mere words? “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Eph. 5:2)
A real love for God must involve hate as well. We must not only love as God loves, but if we truly love Him, we will also hate the things He hates. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4) If the love of God involves a love of goodness and Godliness, such love must also involve a hatred of the world and its evil and standards.
If we have a friend who tells us he or she loves and appreciates us and then that friend deliberately makes friends and pledges loyalty to one who has proven to be a sworn en- emy of all we, our family and loved ones stand for; how can that person remain a close friend? Earlier in this letter John states this obvious truth, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” (I John 3:13) Jesus tells us that if we truly love and serve Him dual loyalties are impossible. (Matt. 6:24)
The confirmation and acid test of ones love for God is expressed in another question that needs to be asked. DO YOU LOVE GOD’S COMMANDMENTS AND FIND OBEYING THEM A JOY AND A BLESSING? Do you rejoice to hear His Word taught and preached, even when the Sword of the Spirit cuts with conviction deeply into your heart? Those who are not saved feel quite the contrary. They hate the Word of God and flee from the conviction of sin it brings. If this is not so, why do we not have our pews always filled to the overflowing and a crowd standing outside clamoring to come in? Begging and demanding to hear the Word preached in all its purity? I mentioned an article recently critiquing the Purpose Driven Church philosophy. The whole thrust of the article and the underlying prob- lem that is challenging and compromising true Bible-believing churches, is the idea that a church should design its services and activities to attract, entertain and please the worldly crowd. The absurdity of such a philosophy is shown again and again by statements in the scriptures about the world’s hatred for God, His Word and His people. The record of the deaths of millions of Christian martyrs through the centuries stands as a an open testimony to this self-evident fact. The action of those who would compromise scriptural conviction in order to cater to the worldly crowd, depreciates the sacrifices our forefathers in the faith made to maintain the purity of their faith and testimony. Such action desecrates their memory.
If this is not the case, why does the culture in which we live so strongly oppose the prin- ciples for which we stand? Why do they make fun and call us Bible-bashers and wowsers? Why do they not only support immorality in our nation, but promote it as well? Why the drug scene, pornography and break down of marriage and family, if the world is does not hate the commandments of God and the people of God who would obey them?
In contrast to the world’s view, do you rejoice to hear the Word preached? Do you know the deep love God’s people showed for the scriptures when they stood weeping for joy for hours in Ezra’s day to hear the recovered Word of the Lord read in their presence? Or is a thirty minute Bible message too long for you? Is the Word as a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path? Do you desire to hide it in your heart that you might not sin against God? Do you desire the sincere milk and meat of the Word. Is it as bread and honey to your taste?
Do you love to obey the commandments of God? Or are they grievous to you? Do you find them a joy rather than a burden? The first test of obedience for the saved person is following the Lord in scriptural baptism. Have you done that? Was it a day of great joy in your life, to simply obey this commandment and follow the Lord Jesus Christ in scriptural immersion? Do you love to attend the house of God at every opportunity? Are you glad when they say, “Let us go into the house of the Lord?” Would you rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord - or dwell in the places of the wicked? Is it a real joy to bring your tithes and offerings to the house of God? Does it thrill you and give you great joy to sacrificially give to the Lord? Do you love the brethren as He has commanded? Someone has scripturally said, “Love God, love God’s people, love God’s people, love God.”
Someone has said about the obvious linkage of Godly love, obedience and service, “To know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to serve Him.” Someone else said, “When we really know Him in salvation His Spirit is leading us to sign a blank cheque of service and let Him fill in the rest.”
Another question raised in this passage is, “DO YOU HAVE THE WITNESS OF HIS SPIRIT? His Spirit does bear witness with our spirit if we are the children of God. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Ro. 8:9) Just what is the Spirit’s witness in the heart of a child of God? “ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Ro. 8:14) Our awareness of His presence is at it’s strongest when he is leading us away from sin and into righteousness. When He is answering our daily prayer to lead us not into temptation, but to deliver us from evil. Someone has correctly compared the witness of the Spirit to the role of a policeman. He guides us along the lawful way, informing and convicting us of our transgression of God’s law; constraining us through the law of God’s love that has been shed abroad in our heart; making us desire to do right, seek His will and please and glorify Him; bearing witness through us of the love of God to all those around us.
Another question worth asking raised by this passage is, WHAT IS YOUR POSITION IN THE WORLD? ARE YOU A VICTIM OR VICTOR? Praise the Lord we do not have to limp through life; defeated by the opposition of the world and discouraged by trials, troubles and tribulations that are our natural lot. In all these we can be more than conquerors through the Christ Who as saved us and the Spirit who has sealed us!
