In 1 Jn 3:11-24 John wrote some things to give believers assurance that they are children of God. He explained how we know.
From 1 Jn 2:29 through 1 Jn 3:10, John pointed out the distinctions between children of God and children of the devil. Simply put, children of God do righteousness, and children of the devil don’t. He said in 1 Jn 2:29, “every one that doeth righteousness is born of God”. And in 1 Jn 3:10 he wrote, “whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God”.
So, here’s what we know and how we know.
We know that we have passed from death unto life, 1 Jn 3:11-18. How we know. Because we love the brethren, 1 Jn 3:14. John wrote that from the beginning we have heard that we should love one another, 1 Jn 3:11. This is what Jesus said in Jn 13:34. So John just reiterated what Jesus told them before he died on the cross.
People whose own works are righteous, like Abel, 1 Jn 3:12, will love their brethren whose works are, likewise, righteous. This is particularly true and necessary among Tribulation saints, Matt 25:31-40.
On the other hand, people whose works are evil, like Cain, 1 Jn 3:12, will hate those whose works are righteous. This is why the world hates Christians, 1 Jn 3:13. See Jn 15:17-25. See also Prov 29:27. Those who hate their brethren are murderers. See Matt 5:21-22. And no murderer, 1 Jn 3:15, hath eternal life abiding in him, like the Pharisees in Jn 8:44 who had Jesus Christ crucified.
A person that loveth not his brother abideth in death, 1 Jn 3:14. So, you see, a person knows whether he abides in death or has passed unto life by whether he loves or hates the brethren. It’s that simple. Look how clearly Jesus describes the hatred even between family members during the Tribulation, Matt 10:21-22. Likewise, even the judgment in Matt 25:31-46 is based entirely on how nations treat the Jews, the Lord’s “brethren”.
Our great example of love for the brethren is the Lord Jesus Christ. We perceive his love for us because he laid down his life for us, 1 Jn 3:16. See Jn 15:13. Therefore, as he did for us, we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Priscilla and Aquila did this for Paul, Rom 16:4.
We don’t just love in word, or in tongue. It’s not what we say; it’s what we do that assures our hearts before him, 1 Jn 3:18.
Look at the great “test” question in 1 Jn 3:17. If a person with worldly goods sees a brother in need and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, the love of God doesn’t dwell in him. If the love of God dwells in him, he will give to meet the needs of the brother. See Jas 2:15-16.
This is what the Jews did in the early church, Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32-37. And this is what Tribulation saints must do. Tribulation saints must live by a combination of faith and works, Jas 2:17-24.
We know that we are of the truth, 1 Jn 3:19-23. How we know. Because we keep his commandments, 1 Jn 3:22. The two commandments that John mentions are the main ones in the New Testament, 1 Jn 3:23. Believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, Jn 6:29. And love one another, Jn 13:34.
Because we are of the truth, even if our heart condemns us, and we doubt our salvation, God knows that we are his, 1 Jn 3:20; 2 Tim 2:19. And when our heart doesn’t condemn us, we have confidence toward God, 1 Jn 3:21. We have assurance of our salvation.
Not only do obedient saints enjoy confidence toward God concerning our salvation, but also concerning our prayer life, 1 Jn 3:22. When saints “keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight”, John wrote, “whatsoever we ask, we receive of him”. Look at Jn 15:7. Contrast Prov 28:9.
Prayer is always important, but it is going to be especially vital during the Tribulation, Jas 5:14-18. It is the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man that availeth much.
We know that he abideth in us, 1 Jn 3:24. How we know. By the Spirit which he hath given us. In Jn 14:15-20, a person who loves Jesus will keep his commandments. And the Spirit of truth will abide with a person who loves Jesus and keeps his commandments. Furthermore, he will be in Jesus and Jesus will come to him and be in him. This is essentially what John wrote in 1 Jn 3:24.
The Spirit in us helps us to have assurance of our salvation. Rom 8:16 says, “The Spirit beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God”.
Conclusion: Thus we know three things for certain. We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. We know that we are of the truth because we keep his commandments. And we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us. And these three things, among other things, are how we know that we are children of God.
To study the previous lesson, see We Cannot Sin. To study the next lesson, see Try The Spirits.