Certain individuals believe they are saved solely based on their affiliation with the correct religious group. Others place their
confidence in salvation due to their water baptism, while some find assurance in their ability to speak in tongues as a sign of having the holy spirit, which they view as proof of their salvation. However, 1 John provides compelling Scriptural evidence for assurance in one’s salvation.

1 John 3:1: See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

This single verse conveys a profound message. It emphasizes the boundless love God has for us, which, through Jesus Christ, has made us children of God. Our very identity is anchored in the truth that God is our Father. This extraordinary and honored position may not be comprehended by those in the unbelieving world, but we remain undisturbed, for we are confident in the return of Jesus Christ.

2-3: Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Our hope is not a wishy washy, maybe could happen kind of hope, nor is it a stagnant no influence kind of hope. Our hope is based upon the promises of Almighty God; therefore, they are as certain as certain can be. Knowing that God is our Father and Jesus is coming back inspires us to live a holy life.

4-6: Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.

Chapter 3 delves into the lives of those who habitually engage in sin as a way of life. Before we embraced Christ, our lives were characterized by a persistent pattern of sin with occasional acts of righteousness. Now, having embraced faith, our lives are characterized by habitual pursuit of righteousness with occasional lapses into sin. If we are truly abiding in Christ, we no longer persist in habitual sin because those who persist in sin do not truly know him. While we strive to live free from sin, it is important to acknowledge that, as mentioned in chapter1, we still occasionally stumble and fall into sin.

1 John 1:8-10: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

1 John 3:7-8: Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 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, to destroy the works of the devil.

This simplifies the matter significantly. Those who consistently engage in righteous actions are righteous, while those who
persistently engage in sinful behavior are associated with the devil.

9: No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

This verse speaks to the idea that those who have been “born of God” or are true children of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, will not continue to live a life of habitual or unrepentant sin. The reason given is His seed abides in him. While some interpret this seed as representing the holy spirit, it is worth noting that the Scriptures do not explicitly state anywhere that the holy spirit is referred to as a “seed” within the believer. However, seed is connected to God’s word in the parable of the Seed and the Sower recorded in three places — Matthew 23, Mark 4, and Luke 8. The most compelling Scriptures to support the same concept are as follows:

1 Peter 1:22-23: Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD [Yahweh] ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you.

When the Word of God is alive within, we do not practice sin!

1 John 3:10-12: By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

Once more, these are straightforward declarations. Those who do not lead a righteous life and do not love their fellow believers do not belong to God. Those who are under the influence of God demonstrate love. While those who do not love are influenced by the devil. This is similar to the case with Cain.

13-15: Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The values and beliefs of Christians often differ from those of the world, and this can lead to conflict or even hatred. Love for our fellow believers is evidence we have a new spiritual life in Christ. A strong statement is made regarding hatred; it is like being a murderer.

16-19: We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him.

Jesus provides the greatest example of love and self-sacrifice. We are to follow His example by helping those in need, especially fellow believers. If we have the means to assist someone in need and choose not to, it raises questions about whether the love of God truly resides within us. When we love like Christ, we can have confidence in our relationship with God and the truth of our faith. Loving as Christ did not only involves words, but, more importantly, it demands tangible acts of kindness. This principle aligns closely with the teaching found in the book of James chapter 3 which stresses that genuine faith is demonstrated through corresponding actions. Both love and faith are not mere intellectual acknowledgments; they must be accompanied by godly deeds.

20-24: in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. This is His commandment, that we believe in the name
of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

As we live as communicated in this chapter, we enjoy confidence in our relationship with God and have assurance our prayers will be answered. Selfless Christ-like love is the proof that we are the children of God.