1 JohnSample

John writes in the aftermath of a church schism to explain how disciples of Jesus can discern between genuine and false Christianity.

In his letter John gives three criteria.

1. The first, is the belief that Jesus was, not only the Son of God, (5:5 and 13), but was also fully human, (that is, he did not just appear to be a human being) … "This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God" (1 John 4:2-3, and 1:1-4).

2. The second evidence John gives is this: It is those who keep and obey Jesus’ commands who are genuine Christians;

"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says “I know him” but does not do what he commands is a liar, … But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them" 1 John 2:1-3.

… "the one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous" 1 John 3:7.

… "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them, … This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child" 1 John 3:9-10.

John’s point is exactly what Jesus himself said when one of his disciples asked; "Why do you intend to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?"

"Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching" John 14:23-24. (What a phenomenal promise; God himself, the Father and the Son and the Spirit will come and make their home in you and me, because we love Jesus and do what he says.)

John is making the straightforward point that all who genuinely love Jesus will do what Jesus taught. They will not continue in sin, in the sense that they will not continue to accept and love and do the things that Jesus hates (the very things that destroy us and others).

John is stating that a person demonstrates that they are a genuine Christian first by holding to the truth that Jesus is fully God (4:9, 5:5, 5:13) and fully human (1:1-4, 4:2-3 and 5:6), and second by obeying Jesus’ commands.