Balancing Assurance and Accountability in Our Faith

In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the tension between our sinfulness and the assurance of our salvation. This tension is addressed in the teachings of John, who warns against hypocrisy and celebrates the role of Jesus as our advocate and propitiation. These two truths are crucial for the born-again believer, guiding us in how we respond to our sin and assurance.

Firstly, John warns against hypocrisy, urging us to examine our lives for evidence of our new birth. This is not about achieving perfection but about recognizing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. When we find ourselves slipping into a lukewarm or careless attitude towards sin, 1 John 3:9 becomes a wake-up call. It reminds us that no one born of God makes a practice of sinning. This truth should stir us to repentance, leading us to seek forgiveness and renewal through our advocate, Jesus Christ. In this process, we recover our hatred for sin and find strength in the joy of the Lord to continue our spiritual fight.

On the other hand, there are times when we may sink into fear and discouragement, doubting whether our righteousness is sufficient evidence of our new birth. In these moments, 1 John 2:1 offers comfort, reminding us that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. This assurance is not a license to sin but a reminder of the tender love and advocacy of Christ, who pleads our cause before the Father. It is a call to lift our eyes from our imperfect performances and fix them on Jesus, our advocate.

The new birth enables us to discern how to use these truths effectively. It prevents us from becoming presumptuous about sin or despairing over our shortcomings. Instead, it guides us to embrace both the warning against hypocrisy and the comfort of advocacy, allowing us to grow in the assurance of our salvation. May we respond to these truths with a heart that seeks to honor God, finding balance and assurance in our walk with Him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The warning against hypocrisy calls us to examine our lives for evidence of new birth, not to achieve perfection but to recognize the fruit of the Spirit. This examination should lead us to repentance and renewal through Jesus, our advocate. [04:11]
• 2. When we slip into a careless attitude towards sin, 1 John 3:9 serves as a wake-up call, reminding us that no one born of God makes a practice of sinning. This truth should stir us to seek forgiveness and renewal. [04:59]
• 3. In moments of fear and discouragement, 1 John 2:1 offers comfort, reminding us of Jesus' advocacy. This assurance is not a license to sin but a call to focus on Christ's love and advocacy. [09:02]
• 4. The new birth enables us to discern how to use the warnings and assurances in Scripture effectively, preventing us from becoming presumptuous or despairing. It guides us to embrace both the warning and the comfort. [12:03]
• 5. Our response to these truths should be one of humility and gratitude, seeking to honor God and grow in the assurance of our salvation. This balance allows us to enjoy the full assurance of our salvation. [12:33]
  ** [12:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Introduction to John's Teachings
• [00:41] - Warning Against Hypocrisy
• [01:02] - Celebration of the Advocate
• [01:21] - Using the Two Truths
• [02:09] - Scenario One: Lukewarmness
• [03:06] - Realization and Repentance
• [04:11] - The Role of 1 John 3:9
• [05:28] - Scenario Two: Fear and Discouragement
• [06:15] - The Comfort of 1 John 2:1
• [07:08] - Tenderness in God's Approach
• [08:37] - Fixing Eyes on the Advocate
• [09:51] - Balancing Warning and Comfort
• [10:39] - Responding as a Born-Again Person
• [12:33] - Conclusion and Prayer

1. 1 John 3:9
2. 1 John 2:1
3. 1 John 1:9

1. According to 1 John 3:9, what is the relationship between being born of God and the practice of sinning? How does this verse serve as a wake-up call for believers? [04:11]
2. In 1 John 2:1, what role does Jesus play for believers when they sin? How does this provide comfort in times of fear and discouragement? [09:02]
3. How does 1 John 1:9 describe the process of confession and forgiveness for believers? What does this imply about the nature of our relationship with God? [04:40]
4. What are the two main truths that John presents in his teachings, and how are they meant to function in the life of a born-again believer? [01:21]

1. How does the warning against hypocrisy in 1 John 3:9 challenge believers to examine their lives for evidence of new birth? What might this examination look like in practical terms? [00:41]
2. In what ways does the assurance of having an advocate in 1 John 2:1 help believers avoid despair? How does this assurance differ from a license to sin? [09:02]
3. How can the process of confession and renewal described in 1 John 1:9 lead to a deeper relationship with Christ? What role does repentance play in this process? [04:40]
4. How does the new birth enable believers to balance the warnings and assurances found in Scripture, preventing them from becoming presumptuous or despairing? [12:33]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt lukewarm or careless about sin. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to prevent this attitude in the future? [02:49]
2. When you experience fear and discouragement about your spiritual state, how can you remind yourself of Jesus' advocacy? What practical steps can you take to focus on His love and advocacy? [09:02]
3. Consider the role of confession in your spiritual life. How can you make confession a regular practice, and what impact might this have on your relationship with God? [04:40]
4. How can you discern whether you are responding to Scripture with presumption or despair? What signs might indicate that you need to adjust your perspective? [12:33]
5. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with hypocrisy. What specific actions can you take to align your life more closely with the evidence of new birth? [00:41]
6. How can you cultivate a heart of humility and gratitude in response to the truths of warning and advocacy? What daily practices might help you grow in the assurance of your salvation? [12:33]
7. Think of a person in your life who might be struggling with assurance of salvation. How can you support and encourage them using the truths discussed in this study? [09:02]