Recognizing The Truth

Recognizing the Truth

1 John 3:24 – 4:1-6

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

We live in a world where truth is illusive and the fabrication of an individual’s mind. In rejecting any concept of absolute truth, one is tempted to swim amongst the masses in a sea of never ending, culturally influenced, divergent beliefs. For example, in a survey it was found that 52 % of Canadians agree that official government accounts cannot be trusted, 20 % believe the 911 attacks were an inside job, 16 % say the U.S. election was stolen from Donald Trump, 11 % say the moon landing was faked, 42 % say that most news is false, 13 % say climate change is a hoax and 10 % say Ukraine was full of Nazis and Russia invaded to protect her people. While some or all of these statistics might seem ridiculous most of agree that each person has the right to choose what is truth! While most Christians are defenders of freedom of speech, should we not also be concerned how this world influences our belief in the absolute truth of the Bible? For instance, should we not be concerned that only 40% of Evangelicals believe the Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally, while 51% believe it is inspired by God but not to be taken literally, and 8% believe it is merely fables? Christians live in a world that is not their home and yet many of them listen too and live by the false teachings of a world of depraved minds (Romans 1:28) that either view and/or live their lives as if the cross of our Lord is mere foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18)! There are so many religions today within proximity to one another that often Christian beliefs inside the church have become nothing more than a plethora of many religions! Though we will be accused of being narrow minded bigots are we not as Christians to boldly state that Jesus is the only way, truth, and only means of getting close to God? If we are to be true lights unto the nations by knowing and living the absolute truth concerning God, then we simply must find a way to reject all falsehoods that come from this world! The following sermon in reviewing John 3:24, 4:1-6 will describe how to test the spirits and discern what is true from what is falsehood.

Proof of Salvation

“The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: we know it by the Spirit He gave us.” (23)

Before one dare test the spirits of others one must first discern one’s own position before God! Even though righteousness is “not defined by the absence of sin” the angel masquerading as light (2 Corinthians 11:14) often points out the mots in our eyes as evidence that we have not passed from death to life. To discern assurance of our salvation John states we are to look for “evidence of the Holy Spirit’s working within our lives.” Since the “cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18), the primary test of being born again is the belief that Christ has come in the flesh, atoned for one’s sins and is the only way to be adopted into God’s family (John 14:6). Those who relegate Jesus to a mere prophet, a righteous man, or outright reject Him as God’s one and only Son, have not passed from death to life and remain prisoners of sin, destined to eternally burn in the lake of hell (Revelation 20:13-15)! “The virtues of the Christian life cannot be lived apart from a relationship with God, a relationship defined and sustained by Jesus Christ” This brings us to the second evidence one is saved, the desire and ability to obey God’s commands. Believers know they have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and are indeed children of God because the promised Spirit of Truth (John 14;16-17) enables them to no longer see His commands as burdensome but as the means of pleasing He who dwells within them. John is not teaching that salvation is obtained through works but that living the word though experience is evidence one is saved. The third evidence one is part of God’s family is the divine ability to love our brother and sisters (1 John 4:13-21; Galatians 5:16). “Love is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and so love among Christians is one way the Holy Spirit testifies of His reality in our lives.” The final evidence of salvation comes from the Holy Spirit Himself! When the mots in our eye’s makes one doubt whether or not one is truly in the vine, rely on the testimony of the Spirit who testifies with our spirit that we are truly God’s children (Romans 8:16). If one still sees the cross as foolishness, has no desire and cannot obey God’s commands, does not love their fellow brothers and sisters and the Spirit is silent about one’s salvation then it is likely that one is not saved!