Biblical Assurance of Salvation Part 4

By Justin Edwards

Paul Washer continues in the book of 1 John in Part 4 of this 5-part series on assurance of salvation. The true test of salvation does not come from praying, participating in a religious organization, or observing rites; the evidence of salvation is the working of God in our lives that causes it to grow in conformity to His character and in conformity to His will. 1 John 2:7-11,

Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. ⁸ Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

⁹ He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. ¹⁰ He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. ¹¹ But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Possibly the greatest sign that we are a true believer is that we love the brethren. Are we willing to risk our lives for a brother or sister? Are we willing to lay down our lives? Jesus says in John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Love is not just something - it's everything. It is more than not doing the negative, but what positive actions of love are we demonstrating to people of Christ?  If we are truly converted, we will love the people of God because we are one!  Born again believers are marked by love. If you have not love, then you are in spiritual darkness.  Our great goal is to be like Jesus, to love people in the truth with all of our hearts.

1 John 3:14-15 says,

¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother^[c] abides in death. ¹⁵ Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

A murderer? One who hates his brother is a cold-blooded murderer. It's a habitual practice of hate. A serial killer, killing over and over and over again. We are are commanded to love our brothers and sisters. It is impossible to have a vertical relationship with God with no horizontal relationships with the Body.  If the extent of our Christianity is going to church and hearing a sermon and worshiping, we're not loving.  We must love the brethren in practical ways. 1 John 3:17-18 tells us

¹⁷ But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

 ¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

So, how's your love life?


Biblical Assurance of Salvation - Part 4 mp3