I wanted to provide a personal application of 1 John to someone who may need it. Prominent in 1 John is the positive note of Christian certainty. Let me type that again: CHRISTIAN CERTAINTY. Thirty-nine times the verb “know” occurs. You know whether you indeed are a child of God. You know, with absolute certainty, where and with whom you will spend eternity. Let me be blunt, or rather straightforward. A professing Christian who says “I hope I am going to heaven” does not align with scripture. Christian truth is beyond the realm of speculation because it is conclusively secured to the historical event of Jesus Christ and the apostolic witness to that event. In addition, Christians possess the anointing and witness of the Holy Spirit to assure them of the truth about God, Christ, and their own spiritual standing.

Three tests prove the genuineness of Christianity:

1. The test of belief (4:3)
2. The test of obedience (2:3)
3. The test of love (4:20)

The same affirmations are stated negatively. The one who professes to be a Christian, but who cannot pass the test of belief (2:22), the test of obedience (1:6), and the test of love (4:20), is a liar. I am not being harsh; I am teaching you what The Word says. John brings all three tests together in 5:1-5, where he indicates that a profession of Christianity is false unless it is characterized by correct belief, godly obedience, and brotherly love. The same tests are valid today.

Belief is a big deal. There should be no doubt whether you are going to heaven or not if you profess to be a Christian, if there are doubts then something is amiss, wrong, or incorrect and it needs to be corrected as soon as possible; to eliminate the confusion.

The Bible tells us in Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and BELIEVE in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

That is a straightforward verse. God says what He means and means what He says.

Salvation is the saving of human beings from sin and its consequences – which include death and separation from God – by Christ’s death and resurrection, and the justification entailed by this salvation.

I want to unpack the word BELIEVE as it is used in Rom. 10:9 The Greek is “pisteuo” (pist-yoo-oh); Strongs #4100: The verb form of pistis, “faith.” It means to trust in, have faith in, be fully convinced of, acknowledge, and rely on. Pisteuo is more than credence in church doctrines or articles of faith. It expresses reliance upon and a personal trust that produces obedience. It includes submission and a positive confession of the Lordship of Jesus.

Continuing in faith as we have begun. The power and promise of God’s Word.

Listen. Here is the most foundational lesson in the importance and power of faith confession found anywhere in the Bible. The principle is established at the very beginning of the life in Christ. Just as salvation (God’s righteousness working on our behalf) is appropriated by heart belief and spoken confession, so His continuing working in our lives is advanced by the same means.

Let me repeat this again to emphasize its importance.

There should be no doubt whether you are going to heaven or not if you profess to be a Christian, if there are doubts then something is amiss, wrong, or incorrect and it needs to be corrected as soon as possible; to eliminate the confusion. Belief is paramount.