Assurance and Admonition
Thesis: Christians need words of assurance and admonition.
Assurance of Salvation
A. New Christians
- Sins are forgiven by the Name of Christ, v. 12.
- Know the Father, v. 13.
B.. Young Christians
- You have overcome the evil one, v. 13.
- You are strong in Christ, v. 14.
- The Word of God lives in you:
- a. the Indwelling Holy Spirit
- b. Scripture
C. Mature Christians–Know the Eternal God and the will of the Father, vv. 13-14.
Admonition to Saints
A. Do not love the realm of Satan and sin, v. 15.
B. Sin does not come from the Father:
- Cravings of sinful men
- Lust of the eyes
- Boasting of possessions and works
C. Only the one who does God’s will lives forever.
“Some Christians and some churches today become so identified with their own environment that there is no difference between them and the world. Some individuals have let material values and those things which “are passing away” become the permanent fixtures of their lives. Such churches and people should read and reread this passage as a detergent for the spirit. No rationalization, no softening of the lash–just read, reflect, and reform.
“Those who make a fetish of withdrawing from society and who attempt to see how peculiar they can be for God should read the Book of James and Paul’s Epistles to the Corinthians. In reality, however, most of us would do well to read more often and more seriously this corrosive complaint in 1 John against ‘worldliness.'”
William Hendricks