“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:40

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Evidences of Saving Grace

In 1 John, the author wants us, "to know that you have eternal life." (5:13) Throughout the letter, John gives us three indicators or assurances that we have been born again.

The first is in 2:29; "If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him." Throughout the letter, John exhorts his readers not to sin but to practice righteousness.

The second is in 4:7; "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." This too, is a major theme for John in this letter.

The third is in 5:1; "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." Faith in Christ is evidence that we have been born again.

In my experience, most churches focus on 5:1a, faith in Jesus, while practicing righteousness and loving one another are neglected. The follower of Jesus, one who is abiding in Him, will be marked by a radical pursuit of righteousness (i.e. a life more and more free from sin), and a radical faith in Jesus that enables him to love God and His people (not in word or talk but in deed and truth, 3:18).

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