By Your Love, One God, Blessed Assurance, What He’s Done, How Great Thou Art (Until That Day)

How many fake branded items have you ever used? Though they may look very similar, when compared to the genuine product, what would you say are the main differences between them?

1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The Bible commands us to “test” and “examine” ourselves if Jesus is in us (2 Corinthians 13:5). 1 John gives us “tests” that can prove who a real Christian is. John wrote based on personal experience, having encountered Jesus Christ, and urges his readers to focus on Jesus so that joy will be made complete in us (1 John 1:1-4); that his readers would believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that in Him we have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

1) TEST OF RIGHT BELIEVING

There were many false teachers at the time John wrote in his epistle that Jesus is the Christ, the only Savior (1 John 2:22-23). The way to God is only through Jesus. He warns of false prophets and says that every spirit must be tested (1 John 4:1-2). Those who confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh from God are to be considered real Christians. Do we believe that Christ is born of God (1 John 5:1)? We must remember that Satan believes that, but it did not mean he was saved.

What we believe in our hearts must show in the way we live (Romans 10:9-10). We must confess Jesus as Lord, believe that he died and rose again. This belief should result in our righteousness. Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord! We will know who are the true followers of Christ – how? By their fruits – the resulting action coming from their belief (Matthew 7:20-21). It’s not just about calling him “Lord, Lord” – but true belief in Him results in action and obedience. Jesus rebukes with this question, “Why do you call Me Lord, and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). On Judgment Day – some of those who call Him “Lord, Lord” will receive an answer from Him – “I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22-23). An example of this was Judas – he heard everything, but he was not transformed because he did not fully believe. True salvation cannot be just about what we know, but true and right belief impacts our lives and bring about positive changes.

The gospel Jesus shared was that Christ would suffer and rise again, repentance for forgiveness takes place, and His name proclaimed to all nations (Luke 24:46-47). REPENTANCE (Gk. metanoia, change of mind leading to change of heart, resulting to change of behavior) is crucial! Repentance is turning away from sin and turning towards God. It comes with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). When we repent and turn to God, we’ll perform deeds appropriate to repentance (Acts 26:20). We do not have the power to repent – God gives this to us (2 Timothy 2:25-26). Repentance provides freedom from enslavement to sin. It is God who will touch hearts and take people through their journey of faith.

2) TEST OF RIGHTEOUS LIVING

God is Light – He is all-holy, all-pure (1 John 1:5-6). We are sensitive to sin when we draw near to God because His light repels the darkness. If we lie about our walk with Jesus, we will be exposed in the light. If we walk in the Light (walk with God), we have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7-8). Righteous living does not mean perfection. You may still fall into sin, but we can confess (Gk. homologeo) – agree that we have committed wrong against God and others. A change of mind and heart happens, and He is faithful and righteous to forgive us and cleanse us from all sins (1 John 1:9-10)! This is experiential reality!

This truth cannot be used as a license to sin.  But if believers do fail and sin, John reminds us that we have an “Advocate”, (lawyer) Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1-2). Jesus died for our sins (as “propitiation” – the satisfactory payment accomplished) and so He has power and authority to grant forgiveness and cleanse our records! Martin Luther said, “Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ… willed the entire life of believers to be (the) one of repentance.” We need repentance every day. A.W. Pink said that “the Christian who has stopped repenting has stopped growing”. As the Spirit convicts and corrects us even in our secret sins, we should ask to be cleansed, hate sin, and embrace godly values, as He keeps working in our hearts to change us for the better.

If we truly KNOW God,  we will keep His commandments and practice righteousness (1 John 2:3-7, 10). Our evidence for true faith and salvation is a transformed life, living in the righteousness Christ had set for us. God will not allow His children to keep a life of sin, so He disciplines us. He does this for our good so that we can share in His holiness and bear the fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:6, 10-11).

3) TEST OF REAL LOVING

1 John 4:7-8 tells us to love one another – the practice of our experience of God’s love. If we do not love, then we do not know God at all. The opposite of loving people is INDIFFERENCE. When we as “Christians” cancel others, avoid others, and brew bitterness, hatred, and anger for others – our Christianity is in question. If we have the love of God, we can forgive and love others even in the most difficult situations. Indeed, if we say we love God, but we do not love our brother, we make liars of ourselves (1 John 4:19-20). Is there enough evidence in our lives that we are real Christians?

Jesus commands us to love one another the way He has loved us (John 13:34-35). We are truly Christ-followers when we love even those most difficult to love. The most powerful weapon we have is love towards one another. Loving this way is impossible apart from the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Live like Christ; have the right belief, progress in right living, and be more loving each day. We pray we will always do so!

Pray for those who may believe that they are truly saved when their lives prove otherwise.

Show God’s love for them as you walk in the light.

Share the gospel of Jesus Christ in love and truth.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented; tension in the West Philippine Sea to be peacefully resolved.

• Continue to pray for the rest of Israeli hostages to be restored back to their families safely. Pray for Israel and the war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For the civil war in Syria to end peacefully, protection for Christians and other minorities; that there will be freedom from oppression for Syrians. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout the country.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;