Do You Pass the Test?

1 John 2:9-10 “The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”

I am proud to say that we are going to two graduations this year. Saturday we attended the Wright State University commencement services to witness Luke receive a diploma for his Masters in Mechanical Engineering. At the end of May we will be cheering as Nathan graduates with honors from high school. Each of these guys has done well and passed the tests necessary to move on.

All throughout life we will be called upon to prove our knowledge and expertise in certain areas to show we are efficient for our tasks. It is important for those who are training us to evaluate their teaching, but it is also important for the student to gain confidence in their standing.

John, one of Jesus’s close disciples, wrote the letter of 1 John to give the readers confidence in their position before God. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

Salvation is available for all who will believe in Jesus Christ. Many today would say they believe this statement, but how can a person know for sure that his or her faith is real? How does one know that they truly have a relationship with the Lord? It isn’t enough to think you are on good terms with God; you need to know for sure. Within the pages of John’s letter he gave some tests to help his readers evaluate their relationship with God.

See if you pass the test:

Test #1 – Obedience: “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (2:3)

Those who have truly received God’s gift of salvation have received the power to resist sin, and will have a desire to obey. Even if they do sin, it will not be their regular practice and their heart will entreat them to call on God for forgiveness. The one who says he loves God but ignores everything He says, living a lifestyle of sin, is a liar and does not pass the test.

Test #2 – Imitation: “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (2:6)

Those who have truly received God’s gift of salvation will emulate the life of Christ. Their attitudes and actions will begin to change from the world’s standards to God’s standards. This is a process that God promises to complete in each one who belongs to Him. This new life in Christ is evident because the old person has passed away and a new person has come. Those who say they know God but do not walk in the same manner as Christ did, do not pass the test.

Test #3– Affection: “The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” (2:9-10)

Those who have truly received God’s gift of salvation will have a love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. This does not mean that we will necessarily connect with everyone in the same way, but there will be a very real kinship regardless of race, language, and experience. We will have the same hope, the same goals, and the same Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. At all times we will display a heart of forgiveness and kindness knowing we will share eternity together. Those who say they know God but hate their brothers or sisters are not in the Light, but in darkness, and do not pass the test.

There is not much worse than failing a test, except thinking you can pass when you can’t. Graduation day is coming when we will all meet God face to face. How can we know for certain that we have eternal life? Read back over 1 John 2 and consider the words carefully. Do you pass the test?

Love,

Mama