Genuine Faith
Tests from John's first epistle
Proverbs 4:23
- NKJV – Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
- NASB – Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
- NLB – Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.
Good News
- The gospel is good news
- It is not just an offer for forgiveness and then a demand for holiness
- Both forgiveness and holiness are made available by faith through grace
- Sin can be cancelled and conquered!
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. II Corinthians 13:5 NLT
Preventative Penance
- Proverbs 1:17 "For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird…"
- "True penance is to refrain from committing deeds for which penance is to be done but when such are committed, to bewail them." --- Columbanus
I John 1 Vss 1-3 Reality based response
I John 1 Vss 4-6 Reality based reaction
I John 1 Vss 7-10 Reality based results
- Test #1
- Are you regularly enjoying fellowship with Jesus and His church?
- I John 1:3
- Hebrews 10:24-25
- I Corinthians 1:9
- Test #2
- Are you very sensitive to your sin?
- I John 1:8-10
- Known sin that is not confessed cannot be forgiven!
- Hebrews 10:26-29
- Test #3
- Do you have an inner hatred of the world system?
- I John 2:15-17
- Dependent upon your fellowship
- The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life = (money – sex – power)
