Test Your Bible Knowledge

 

Knowledge is increasing on every side. In fact, Daniel 12:4 relates of the endtimes in which we live - "...many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

But there are certain truths - as delineated by the Apostle John in his epistle of 1 John - that every Christian should have settled in his or her heart.

This message will deal with each one.

Allow the Holy Spirit to grade you on your Bible Knowledge this day.

Never forget - what you don't know will hurt you. 

 

1 John 2:5 says - "But whoso keepeth His word, in Him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him."

 

There are many who are professing to be Christians in our day. Yet, when you examine their lives, there really is no change from the old sinful lifestyle.

 

Read The Living Bible's rendition of 1 John 2:4-5 and glean what the Apostle was trying to say in this verse - "Someone may say,' I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. This is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian."

 

How can we tell if we are abiding in Jesus today? How do we know if we truly belong to Him? Having such a love that insures obedience  demonstrates a valid relationship with Him. Love is never complete without obedience - for obedience is the perfection of love.

 

Hence, it is not those who are merely saying - "I love You, Lord Jesus!" - who truly love Him, but those who are walking in compliance with His Holy Word.

 

1 John 3:2 says - "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."
 

Beholding Jesus generates likeness in His people. The more we behold Him in the mirror of His Word, the more we grow to be like Him. This is to be the supreme aim of every believer - to be like Him - in purity...having no sin...and in righteousness.

 

But there is a day coming when He shall come back in all of His glory and majesty and we shall behold Him as He is. Then our vile bodies shall put on immortality and will be made like unto His glorified body. The sight of Him will cause us to be filled with light, life, and heavenly bliss. 

 

1 John 3:5 says - "And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin."

 

What was the sole reason why Jesus left heaven's glory and came into our world? It was because He saw sin to be so great an evil so He gave Himself to be the redeeming sacrifice that would take away the sins of the world. Said another way - He came to deliver us from the dominion of sin...to set us free from its bondage...to destroy its power...to pardon its guilt...and to cleanse from its pollution. In no way did He come to furnish anyone - sinner or saint alike - with the means of indulging in it. Hence, habitual sinful conduct indicates a lack of communion or relationship with such a Savior.

 

1 John 3:14 says - "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."

 

The experiential evidence that we have truly been born again - have passed from the realm of death, Satan, and hatred to the realm of life, God, and love - is that we genuinely love the followers of Christ.  A lack of love for others is a sure indication that no saving change has occurred in our lives.

 

1 John 3:16 says - "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

 

How can we test to see if we truly understand the love of God? Who is it that really apprehends what true love is? It is the one who lays down his life for others. In other words, he seeks the good of others at all cost...displays love to the foolish, undeserving, unthankful, disobedient, and rebellious...gives of his time, care, labor, prayers, and money to those in need...expresses his love through self-sacrifice and not mere words... and risks his life to save the lives of others.

 

1 John 3:24 says - "And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us."

1 John 4:13 adds - "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit."

 

What evidence is there to prove that we are true Christians? One major evidence is having the effects of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. This is displayed through the following traits - The flesh is crucified...the Lord is glorified...holiness of living is the major aim or goal...and the life is filled with power, zeal, love to God and man, and a sound mind.

 

1 John 5:13 says - "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

 

The eternal life that has been provided through faith in the Living Son of God is evidenced by Christ living, working, and reigning in the heart of the believer. The result? An assurance of salvation and a perseverance in believing and enduring unto the end.

 

1 John 5:14-15 says - "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."

 

When we pray, do we - know that we know that we know - that God hears us? For if we have that assurance, then we can count on the answer coming. It may be delayed for a time, but we are sure that - because we asked according to His will - we have the petition that we desired of Him.

 

There are certain truths in our Christian walk about which we must be confident and certain. 

 

Do you know that you are "in Jesus" today - that you are a true Christian?

Each day, are you growing more and more like Him - through prayer, worship, and Bible study?

Are you assured of the fact that He came to take away your sins and furnish you with the power to live above it in thought, word, and deed?

Have you passed from death to life - from hatred to love - from bitterness to forgiveness?

Are you aware of the fact that the love of God calls for you to live sacrificially unto others?

Is the Holy Spirit running your life?

Are you sure that - when you leave this world - you will go to heaven because of your faith in Jesus - which produces obedience to His Word?

Does God hear you when you pray?

 

"hereby know we"

"we know that"

"Hereby perceive we"

"that ye may know"

"And if we know"

 

God wants you to have knowledge - pertaining to these Biblical truths.

 

Do you?  

 

May God Bless His Word.