September 3, 2017 Pastor Timothy C. Vahlstrom Valley Bible Church 1477 Willow Avenue | Hercules, CA 94547 | www.valleybible.org 

 Certainty of Eternal Life - 

Right Thinking About Sin and Three Tests 

I John 1:6-10, 2:3-11, 21-27 

God wants us to be absolutely sure we truly 

have a relationship with Him and eternal life. 

Why was John’s letter written? 

? The Underlying Issue 

(1 Jn. 2:26) 

John’s personal reasons/desires for writing the letter: 

o Joy (1 Jn. 1:4, 3 Jn. 4) 

o That believers would not sin 

(1 Jn. 2:1) 

o That they may have assurance of eternal life (1 Jn. 5:13) 

? A true believer will think rightly about sin – exposing three views put forward by false teachers 

Claim to have fellowship while practicing sin (1 Jn. 1:6) September 3, 2017 Pastor Timothy C. Vahlstrom Valley Bible Church 1477 Willow Avenue | Hercules, CA 94547 | www.valleybible.org 

o Claim to be without sin (a sin nature) 

(1 Jn. 1:8) 

o Claim we do not commit sins 

(1 Jn. 1:10) 

Three Practical Tests of Authentic Christianity 

I. Test 1 – The Moral or Obedience Test 

1. Part 1 (1 Jn. 2:3-4) 

? We can know we have come to know him (v. 3) 

? Saying we know God without obeying God’s commands is false - a lie (v. 4) 

2. Part 2 (1 Jn. 2:5-6) 

? Our love for God is demonstrated through our obedience to the Word (v. 5) 

? Any claim to be in Christ must be accompanied by a life that looks like Jesus (v. 6) 

II. Test 2 – The Love or Social Test 

Old and New Commandment (1 Jn. 2:7-8) 

? Old Commandments of love (Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18) 

? New Commandment to love one another 

(Jn. 13:34) September 3, 2017 Pastor Timothy C. Vahlstrom Valley Bible Church 1477 Willow Avenue | Hercules, CA 94547 | www.valleybible.org 

o New Importance (Matt. 22:36-38) 

o New Standard of Love – love like Jesus (Jn. 13:34) 

o New Recipients/Extent (Matt. 5:44; Lk. 10:25-37) 

? Jesus is the true light 

(1 Jn. 2:8; Jn. 1:4-5; Jn. 3:19) 

? A claim to be a believer if they do not love their fellow saints cannot be true (1 Jn. 2:9-11) 

o Love is not fuzzy but measurable and observable (1 Cor. 13 4-7,Jn. 15:12-13) 

III. Test 3 – The Doctrinal or Belief Test 

(1 Jn. 2:21-27) 

? He that denies that Jesus is God, come in flesh and the savior of the world is antichrist (v. 22) 

? Two Safeguards for the believer 

o Holding fast to true doctrine (the Word of God) (v. 24-25) 

o The indwelling Holy Spirit of truth (v. 27; 5:6b) September 3, 2017 Pastor Timothy C. Vahlstrom Valley Bible Church 1477 Willow Avenue | Hercules, CA 94547 | www.valleybible.org 

Application 

So, how did you do on these three tests or marks of authentic Christianity? 

1) If you say you know and love God today, does your life reflect a steady and growing obedience to God and His Word? 

2) If you say you are walking in the light (in Christ), do you express love for your brothers and sisters in consistent and tangible ways? 

3) If you say you know the Father, do you believe that Jesus is the uncreated eternal Son, God incarnate, Savior of the world. 

It is my heart and prayer today that everyone 

will pass these 3 tests and have God’s 

assurance that you really know Him and have 

eternal life. If you are in doubt, commit your 

life to Jesus today by faith and He will give you 

a new life that passes the test.