Today, Sunday September 12
Things We Can Know For Sure
1 John 5:6-9 “This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.”
The world we live in today is so full of uncertainties that it causing many to ask the question, “Is there anything we can know for sure?” Today with the internet technology and instant international communications, we are aware like never before, that everything is constantly changing. For sure, there is one thing we can know for sure, and that is everything is changing.
In the last chapter of the book of Daniel we read that one of the signs of the last days is that knowledge will increase! It appears that it is increasing so rapidly that what we thought we knew for sure yesterday has already changed today! Even science says one thing one day and something else the next, depending on who is interpreting its new discovery.
But for sure, there are some things we all can be sure about! The Christian knows that there are many certainties. When it comes to spiritual truth, Christians are not afraid to say, "We know!" In fact, the word know occurs thirty-nine times in John's brief letter, eight times in this closing chapter.
In this chapter there are at least five things a believer can know for sure. First, we can know what a genuine Christian is! Most people in the world do not know what a Christian is or how they can become Christians. They trust in religious works and good intentions, depending on the energy of the flesh. God says that a Christian is someone who has been born again. It is faith in the finished work of Christ that makes a child of disobedience into a child of God (see John 1:12-13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3).
The life that is real is built on the divine certainties that are found in Jesus Christ. The world may accuse the Christian of being proud and dogmatic, but this does not keep him from saying, "I know!" In these closing verses of John's letter we find several certainties on which we can build our lives with confidence.
John uses the phrase "born of God" seven times in his first epistle and describes the "birthmarks of believers".
Someone who is a true and genuine believer is one who:
(1) Habitually practices righteousness (1 John 2:29)
(2) Does not practice sin (1 John 3:9)
(3) Loves other Christians (1 John 4:7)
(4) Overcomes the world (1 John 5:4)
(5) Keep themselves from Satan (1 John 5:18)
Do you know with certainty that you have been born of God? Match up your daily life and habits to the truths found here in this book and see if it passes the test of truth, obedience and love!
God bless!