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Genuine Faith - Part 3
Tests from John's Epistle
I John 4:1-6

If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19

Proverbs 4:23

NKJV – Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
NLB – Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. II Corinthians 13:5 NLT

I John 1

• Test #1
  • Are you regularly enjoying fellowship with Jesus and His church?
  • I John 1:3
  • Counsel = Stay close to God & His people
• Test #2
  • Are you very sensitive to your sin?
  • I John 1:8-10
  • Counsel = Keep your lists short with God

I John 2

• Test #3
  • Do you have an inner hatred of the world system?
  • I John 2:15-17
  • Counsel = Do not love the world

I John 3

• Test #4
  • Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life?
  • I John 3:5-6
  • Counsel = Abide in Jesus, don't just grow old, grow up
• Test #5
  • Do you sacrificially love other Christians?
  • I John 3:14
  • Counsel = Learn to love the church
• Test #6
  • Do you experience answered prayer?
  • I John 3:22
  • Counsel = Askers receive

I John 3 & 4

• Test #7
  • Do you experience the inner working of the Holy Spirit?
  • I John 3:24 ; 4:13
  • Romans 12:3-8
  • Counsel = Abide – live – dwell – stay in that state of relationship with Him

I John 4 & 5

• Test #8
  • Do you distinguish between truth & error?
  • I John 4:1-6
  • These final tests challenge our witness and world view
  • John 18:36-37
• Test #9
  • Do you believe what the Bible teaches?
  • I John 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him."
  • Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."
• Test #10
  • Have you ever been attacked or threatened for your faith?
  • Matthew 5:11-12
  • I Peter 1:14-16
  • Philippians 1:27-30

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
– C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity"