Assurance Through Obedience: Knowing God Personally
Summary
In today's exploration of 1 John 2, we delve into the profound question of assurance in our faith: "How can I be sure?" This question is particularly pressing in our current times, where many are abandoning the faith they once professed. It is a question that arises from observing others fall away, recognizing our own struggles with sin, and comparing our experiences with the high standards of Christian joy and peace described in the Bible. The Apostle John addresses this question directly, offering believers a path to assurance.
John's letter is written to believers, aiming to provide them with the confidence that they have eternal life. Assurance, he explains, grows as we pursue certain spiritual disciplines. Initially, we explored how walking in the light, confessing our sins, and trusting in the Savior contribute to our assurance. Today, we focus on a fourth aspect: obeying God's commands. John presents a glorious promise that we can know we have come to know God if we keep His commandments. This knowledge is not secondhand but a direct, personal relationship with God.
The path to assurance is clear: obedience to God's commands. This obedience is not about perfection, as no Christian keeps God's commands completely. However, all Christians begin to live according to God's commands, reflecting a genuine transformation. This transformation is the beginning of the fulfillment of God's law in us, driven by the Holy Spirit and our new creation in Christ.
Moreover, this obedience is not merely a duty but a beautiful freedom. True freedom is when our desires align with God's commands, allowing us to pursue the deepest desires of our hearts without compulsion. This alignment is the work of God's love perfected in us, leading us to love what He loves and to walk as Jesus walked. As we grow in this love and obedience, we experience a profound assurance that we know God and are in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Assurance in faith is crucial, especially in times when many abandon their beliefs. It is nurtured by walking in the light, confessing sins, and trusting in Jesus, leading to greater peace and joy. [03:36]
- Obedience to God's commands is a clear path to assurance. While no Christian obeys perfectly, all begin to live according to God's commands, reflecting a genuine transformation. [16:26]
- True freedom is found when our desires align with God's commands. This alignment, driven by God's love, allows us to pursue our deepest desires without compulsion, leading to a beautiful freedom. [35:47]
- God's love has a purpose: to reproduce itself in us, leading us to love as He first loved us. This love-driven obedience is more than duty; it is the fulfillment of God's love in our lives. [31:26]
- Renewing our commitment to Scripture and obedience is essential for growing in assurance. As we align our lives with God's word, we will increasingly know that we know God and are in Christ. [39:12]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Assurance
[01:07] - The Challenge of Abandoning Faith
[02:06] - Biblical Descriptions of Christian Experience
[03:36] - Pathways to Assurance
[04:07] - Walking in the Light
[05:00] - Confessing Sins
[06:07] - Trusting the Savior
[07:37] - Obeying God's Commands
[09:14] - Knowing God Personally
[11:36] - Assurance Beyond Secondhand Faith
[16:26] - Obedience as a Path to Assurance
[21:43] - The Reality of Christian Obedience
[31:26] - Love Perfected in Obedience
[35:47] - True Freedom in Alignment with God's Will
[39:12] - Renewing Commitment to Scripture and Obedience
[41:22] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Assurance in Faith
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 2:3-6
2. 1 John 5:13
3. John 14:15
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 John 2:3, what is the evidence that we have come to know God? How does this relate to the concept of assurance? [07:55]
2. In the sermon, what are the three initial ways mentioned that contribute to growing in assurance before focusing on obedience? [03:53]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's love and our obedience to His commands? [31:07]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the ultimate purpose of God's love being perfected in us? [31:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise in 1 John 5:13 provide assurance to believers, and why is this assurance important in the context of the sermon? [03:16]
2. The sermon mentions that no Christian keeps God's commands completely, yet all begin to live according to them. How does this tension affect one's understanding of assurance? [21:43]
3. What does it mean for our desires to align with God's commands, and how does this alignment lead to true freedom according to the sermon? [35:47]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in helping believers obey God's commands and grow in assurance? [27:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with assurance in your faith. How did you address it, and what steps can you take now to strengthen your assurance? [01:36]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands. Identify one command you find challenging to follow. What practical steps can you take this week to begin aligning your actions with this command? [16:26]
3. Consider the idea of true freedom as aligning your desires with God's commands. What desires in your life currently conflict with God's will, and how can you work towards aligning them? [35:47]
4. The sermon suggests renewing commitment to Scripture. What specific plan can you implement to engage more deeply with the Bible in the coming month? [39:12]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper love for God that naturally leads to obedience, as described in the sermon? Identify one action you can take to nurture this love. [33:38]
6. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions and actions? [27:16]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of confessing sins. Is there a sin you need to confess and seek forgiveness for? How can you create a habit of regular confession in your spiritual life? [05:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance in Faith Amidst Uncertainty
In times when many abandon their beliefs, assurance in faith becomes crucial. This assurance is nurtured by walking in the light, confessing sins, and trusting in Jesus, leading to greater peace and joy. Observing others fall away can be disheartening, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of grounding oneself in the truth of the Gospel. Assurance is not a one-time achievement but a continuous journey of aligning oneself with God's will and experiencing His presence in daily life. [03:36]
1 John 1:6-7 (ESV): "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
Reflection: Think of a recent struggle or doubt you have faced in your faith. How can you actively seek God's light and truth in this situation today?
Day 2: Obedience as a Path to Assurance
Obedience to God's commands is a clear path to assurance. While no Christian obeys perfectly, all begin to live according to God's commands, reflecting a genuine transformation. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about a heart that desires to follow God's will. As believers grow in their faith, they experience a deeper understanding of God's love and a stronger commitment to His commands. This obedience is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, leading to a profound sense of assurance. [16:26]
1 John 2:3-5 (ESV): "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected."
Reflection: Identify one command of God that you find challenging to obey. What steps can you take today to begin aligning your actions with this command?
Day 3: True Freedom in Alignment with God's Will
True freedom is found when our desires align with God's commands. This alignment, driven by God's love, allows us to pursue our deepest desires without compulsion, leading to a beautiful freedom. When believers align their lives with God's will, they experience a liberation from the constraints of sin and a newfound joy in living according to His purpose. This freedom is not about doing whatever one pleases but about finding fulfillment in God's perfect plan for their lives. [35:47]
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel restricted or bound. How can aligning this area with God's will lead to true freedom for you today?
Day 4: Love Perfected in Obedience
God's love has a purpose: to reproduce itself in us, leading us to love as He first loved us. This love-driven obedience is more than duty; it is the fulfillment of God's love in our lives. As believers grow in their relationship with God, they begin to reflect His love in their interactions with others. This transformation is a testament to the power of God's love to change hearts and lives, leading to a deeper assurance of their faith. [31:26]
1 John 4:12 (ESV): "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: Consider someone in your life who needs to experience God's love through you. How can you demonstrate this love to them in a tangible way today?
Day 5: Renewing Commitment to Scripture and Obedience
Renewing our commitment to Scripture and obedience is essential for growing in assurance. As we align our lives with God's word, we will increasingly know that we know God and are in Christ. This commitment involves a daily dedication to studying the Bible, seeking God's guidance, and applying His truths to our lives. Through this process, believers experience a deeper connection with God and a stronger assurance of their faith. [39:12]
Psalm 119:105-106 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can renew your commitment to studying Scripture this week? How can this practice enhance your assurance in your faith?
Quotes
John's letter is written to believers, aiming to provide them with the confidence that they have eternal life. Assurance, he explains, grows as we pursue certain spiritual disciplines. Initially, we explored how walking in the light, confessing our sins, and trusting in the Savior contribute to our assurance. Today, we focus on a fourth aspect: obeying God's commands. John presents a glorious promise that we can know we have come to know God if we keep His commandments. [00:03:36]
The path to assurance is clear: obedience to God's commands. This obedience is not about perfection, as no Christian keeps God's commands completely. However, all Christians begin to live according to God's commands, reflecting a genuine transformation. This transformation is the beginning of the fulfillment of God's law in us, driven by the Holy Spirit and our new creation in Christ. [00:16:26]
Moreover, this obedience is not merely a duty but a beautiful freedom. True freedom is when our desires align with God's commands, allowing us to pursue the deepest desires of our hearts without compulsion. This alignment is the work of God's love perfected in us, leading us to love what He loves and to walk as Jesus walked. [00:35:47]
God's love has a purpose: to reproduce itself in us, leading us to love as He first loved us. This love-driven obedience is more than duty; it is the fulfillment of God's love in our lives. As we grow in this love and obedience, we experience a profound assurance that we know God and are in Christ. [00:31:26]
Renewing our commitment to Scripture and obedience is essential for growing in assurance. As we align our lives with God's word, we will increasingly know that we know God and are in Christ. This commitment involves scanning the Bible like a captain scanning the sky or the sea, always seeking to align our lives with God's commands. [00:39:12]
The means by which we can come to know that we know God, the means by which we will come to know with a settled assurance that we are in Christ, is to keep his Commandments or to say it another way, to walk as Jesus walked. He's laying down this principle: walk in obedience to God's commands and you will grow in assurance. [00:16:26]
The love of God has a mission, a purpose, and a goal, which is to reproduce itself in us so that we may love as He first loved us. The evidence or proof that God's love has fulfilled its purpose in our lives, that it has been perfected in us, is that we keep God's word, obey His commandments, and walk as Jesus walked. [00:31:26]
Freedom is when what you really want aligns with God's commands. If you are brought to a place where what you really in your heart of hearts want aligns perfectly with what God has commanded you to do, then you're blessed, then you're free. You're not under compulsion at all; the best thing you can do is to pursue the deepest desire of your own heart. [00:35:47]
The gift of assurance is to know that you know God and to know that you are in Christ. That's what it is to know that you know God and to know that you are in Christ. Could anything be more wonderful? If anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation; the old has gone, behold the new has come. [00:13:48]
No Christian keeps God's commands completely. John has already made this very clear. He's told us in chapter 1 and verse 8, if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. And then just to underline it, he says it again in chapter 1 and verse 10, if we say we have not sinned, we make out God to be a liar, and his word is not in us. [00:21:43]
All Christians begin to live according to God's commands. This is very clear in so many scriptures. Let me just give you one: Romans chapter 8 and verses 3 and 4. God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do by sending his son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh. [00:21:43]
The life you're called to is not a life of pursuing what you think or feel God wants. The life in which assurance will grow for you is a life in which you pursue what God says he wants. You're only going to find that in Scripture; you won't know it intuitively. Renew your commitment to obedience; that's the very clear message that John lays before us. [00:39:12]
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