“AM I REALLY SAVED?”
1 JOHN 1-5
I. Introduction
“Am I really saved?” Or, “How can I be sure I’m saved?” Or, “What if I think I’m a Christian, but I’m only fooling myself?” Have questions like these ever crossed your mind? Sure they have! Or maybe, as you’ve learned more about God and have begun to see His perfection and holiness more clearly, you’ve also seen yourself and the ugliness of your sin more clearly as well. Has that happened to you? It certainly has to me.
When you see God as He is, you begin to see yourself as you are. In fact, you will never see yourself as you are unless you see God as He is. That’s what happened to the Apostle Paul. Consider what he said about himself…
*Romans 7:15-24
15 For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
16 But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, (then) I agree with the Law, con-fessing that it is good.
17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me.
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wish-ing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
19 For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.
20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.
22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, (my spirit)
23 but I see a different law in the members of my body (my flesh), waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
Let me say it again. When you see God as He is, you will see yourself as you are. You can only know your wretched condition if God reveals it to you. When that happened to Paul he cried out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” His
answer to that desperate plea was right there in the next verse.
*Romans 7:25a
25a “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Who will set you free from this body of death? Jesus Christ our Lord! But there’s more…
*Romans 8:1
1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Wretched sinners are saved through the Lord Jesus Christ, and wretched sinners will never be condemned. They are eternally free and eternally saved.
But you say, “I know all of that is true. I know that there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I just need to know for sure that applies to me.” You say, “I know that Jesus gives His children eternal life and sets the spiritually dead free. I just need to for sure that I’m one of them.” You say, “I just need to know for sure. How can I know for sure?” That’s what I want us to deal with this morning.
This morning we are taking a break from our verse-by-verse exposition of the Book of Acts because we’ve come to a point that needs to be clarified and expanded upon. We actually did that twenty-three times as we worked our way through Luke’s gospel. This is only the second time we are doing so in Acts. The first time was to take a deeper look at the Person of the Holy Spirit. This time it is to answer the question that so often seems to plague us… “Am I really saved?”
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II. Review
Why now? Well, we’ve seen genuine conversions in our study of Acts, but we’ve also seen at least one that was anything but genuine. Simon, the Samaritan magician, thought he was a Christian. After all, he looked like a Christian, he sounded like a Christian and, at least for a while, he acted like a Christian. But he wasn’t a Christian. He was totally lost. And there is no indication that he ever became a Christian.
How can you be sure that you aren’t like Simon? How can you be sure, absolutely sure, that you’re truly saved? How can you know that you’re in Christ, and how can you know that, “There is therefore now no condemnation…” in you? Is there anything about which you want to be sure of more than that? Listen, you should not go through this life with a “black cloud” of doubt hanging over your head. Ask yourself, “How can I live the life God wants me to live; how can I rightly love and glorify Him if I’m not even convinced that I’m saved?”
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II. Text
I want us to look at this question from two perspectives. The first is to consider three things that people often associate with genuine saving faith, but in fact, neither prove nor disprove anyone’s salvation.
1. The first of the three is visible morality. This is something my mother often used to decide whether someone was or was not a Christian. She would meet someone who was kind, nice, well-spoken, did good things in the community, and was always available to help others. She would say to me, “Oh, he (or she) is such a Christian.”
I would say to her, “How do you know? Have you heard his testimony of faith in Christ?” She’d usually say something like, “Well, no, but he’s so loving, so giving, so nice, and so religious that I just know he’s a Christian.” “That may be,” I would say, “but the real issue isn’t what he does; it’s what he is.” When Jesus spoke with the Pharisees, the issue wasn’t what they did; it was what they were. He could see inside of them.
Matthew 23:25-28
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
26 “You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like white-washed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
28 “Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
Morality and goodness that can be seen may well indicate genuine saving faith. But it may also be indicative of nothing more than a “whitewashed tomb.” Visible morality is no proof of salvation. Do you know anyone like that?
2. The second thing that many associate with genuine salvation is intellectual knowledge. Paul uses the example of the Jews who knew God’s Law, who claimed to understand it, and professed to follow it, but in reality lived lives that brought shame and reproach upon God.
*Romans 2:17-24a
17 But if you bear the name “Jew,” and rely upon the Law, and boast in God,
18 and know His will, and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,
19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal?
22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking of the Law, do you dishonor God?
24a For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles, because of you…”
Knowledge of God’s Word may well indicate genuine saving faith. But it may also be indic-ative of nothing more than a scholar who has no relationship with Christ, and is totally lost.
Just as visible morality is no sure proof of saving faith, neither is intellectual knowledge.
3. The third thing too many people associate with genuine saving faith is religious activity.
Jesus pulled no punches when he spoke of those who thought their piety would save them.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of hea-ven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”
22 “Many will say to Me in that day (the day of judgment), ‘Lord, Lord,’ did we not prophecy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
“Praise the Lords,” “Hallelujahs,” “Amens,” and all kinds of fervent religious expressions and activities may well indicate genuine saving faith. But they may also be indicative of nothing more than an emotional attachment to man-made religion. In summary, morality, knowledge, and pious activity could be marks of a true Christian, but they could also be the marks of someone who do not know Christ and has not the slightest interest in meeting Him.
Someone says, “Well, that’s all well and good, but you’ve only made it worse. That doesn’t answer the question at hand? You’ve just told me that morality, knowledge and piety do not necessarily prove saving faith. So what does? What are the some of the identifying marks of a true Christian? And how can I know for sure that I am a true Christian?”
In order to answer those questions we’ll need to consider some of the things the Bible says are, in fact, evidence of genuine saving faith. If visible morality, biblical knowledge, and religious activities cannot be counted on as unmistakable signs of one’s true faith, what can?
Turn to John’s first letter (1 John). We’re going to take a high speed run through this book and let the Apostle John tell us how we can know we are really saved. We’ll ask twelve questions about our own lives, remembering that none of us will be able to answer all of them with a “Yes,” or be able to perfectly fulfill every one of them. But as we work through this, every true Christian will begin to see a trend. So – are you a Christian – are you truly saved? Let’s not examine ourselves against man’s standards; let’s examine ourselves against God’s standards to see if our faith is genuine.
*1 John 1:3-4
3 …what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. (“fellowship” is “kŏinōnia” meaning to be in close communion)
4 And these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
Question: Do you enjoy fellowshipping with the Lord Jesus and His redeemed people?
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*1 John 1:5-7
5 And 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.
Question: Would people say that you walk in the light or in darkness?
(Which do you prefer?)
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*1 John 1:8-10
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Question: Do you admit that you’re a sinner and confess your sins?
(agree – repent)
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*1 John 2:3-5
3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His com-mandments.
4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His com-mandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him.
Question: Do you strive to obey Him?
(Do you want to obey even though you sometimes fail? “To Know God’s Word – To Do God’s Will”)
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*1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.
Question: Do you love the things of God more than the things of the world?
(think separation)
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*1 John 2:28-29
28 And now, little children, abide (live) in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
Question: Do you strive to do what is right in His eyes?
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*1 John 3:2-3
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. (But) We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.
3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Question: Do you seek to maintain a pure life?
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*1 John 3:4-9 (the word “practices” is translated from a Greek word that means “habitual”)
4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
5 And you know that He (Jesus) appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin (habitually), because he is born of God.
Question: Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life?
(This is about not continuing in habitual sin as a way of life, or a lifestyle. It isn’t asking if you do not sin at all.)
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*1 John 3:14
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
Question: Does you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?
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*1 John 3:18-19
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and (in) truth.
19 We shall know by this that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart
before Him.
Question: Do you strive to “walk the walk,” or do you just “talk the talk”?
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*1 John 3:21
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
Question: Do you maintain a clear conscience?
(If you are struggling with this just refer back to 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We have a communion service next week. It’s a perfect time to confess your sins, but there’s no need to wait until then.)
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*1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.
5 And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Question: Do you experience victory in your Christian walk?
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These twelve passages and the self-examination they evoke give us insight into how God defines a true Christian and illustrates genuine saving faith. But you say, “Yes, but I strug-gle with so many of those things.” Of course, you do! And so do I, and so do all of your brothers and sisters in Christ, and so has every Christian who ever lived, and so will every Christian yet to be born who will ever live.
The fact is that every child of God is a work in progress. We are all going through the pro-cess of being sanctified, being made more like Jesus. Remember that the ultimate goal is to be just like Him. But are you like Him yet? No, you’re not – the best of us is not. We know we aren’t because we’re still here. Jesus hasn’t come for us yet. We’re still above ground, we’re breathing air, and we’re still battling the flesh. But we’re already God’s children.
*1 John 3:2
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. (But ) We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.
“…we shall be like Him…” “…shall be” is future tense. We’re not yet perfect.
We’re not yet fully sanctified. We’re not yet complete. We often sing a hymn – Jesus Paid It All – that addresses that very fact. Listen to the words of the fourth stanza:
“And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
‘Jesus died my soul to save,’
My lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all; All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain;
He washed it white as snow.”
We’re not complete yet, but we’re on the way. Loving God and fellowshipping with His people – and walking in the light of the gospel, confessing your sins, striving to obey His Word and doing what is right in His sight, loving your brothers and sisters in Christ, and experiencing victories over the world and its lusts, not to mention everything else we’ve talked about this morning – are all marks of genuine saving faith.
The lost people of this world aren’t interested in any of those things. But Christians are interested in them. Can you look back and see how your attitude about so much of what we’ve talked about has changed over time? That alone is evidence of genuine saving faith.
When you humble yourself before God, when you seek to glorify Him, when you read His Word, and when you pray, you’re growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you do those things? Are those things important to you and becoming more so? They too are marks of genuine saving faith.
If you’re looking for assurance of your salvation, why not do what we’ve been doing here this morning? Why not look to the Scriptures? Why not let God speak to you heart? Why not listen to a reliable witness?
*1 John 5:6-13
6 This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water (His baptism) and with the blood (His death).
7 And it is the (Holy) Spirit who bears witness, because the (Holy) Spirit is the truth.
8 For there are three that bear witness, the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
Do you remember what happened at Jesus’ baptism? God the Father spoke and God the Spirit descended. John is telling us that the Holy Trinity witnesses to the truth.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for the witness of God is this, that He has borne witness concerning His Son.
10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; (but) the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not
believed in the witness that God has borne concerning His Son.
11 And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.
Here is your rest; here is your peace; here is your refuge; and here is the foundation of your hope. What more can God say? Again, I look to one of the great hymns of the faith and ask you to listen to the words of the first stanza. (#408)
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.”
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IV. Conclusion
God wants you to have assurance – absolute assurance. We shouldn’t be living our lives in fear of not knowing we’re saved. That’s why God has given us assurances like…
Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sin-ners, Christ died for us.
Thus we can say with the Apostle Paul…
Galatians 2:20
20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”
Just ask yourself this: Is your faith and your eternal salvation based upon and determined by how you’ve felt about it at any one moment in time, or is it based upon and determined by what God’s unchanging Word has said about it? Feelings or facts? Which do you trust?
Let’s close by listening to Jesus Himself. Turn to John 10 with me.
*John 10:27-30
27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
28 and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.
29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
30 “I and the Father are one.”
~ Pray ~