I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)So it makes sense when John writes things like "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death." (1 John 3:14) However, one must ask, "What does he mean by 'love the brothers'?" because it looks pretty simplified. I mean, who doesn't love love their brothers? So we should probably examine that just a little bit closer. I mean, assurance is great, but you want it to be accurate, right? You don't want false assurance.
So what is John talking about when he speaks of loving the brothers? First, we need to be clear (in this world of gender confusion) that the text is not referring to brothers -- those male family members. This reference is to fellow believers. In fact, John draws this from the Lord's teaching to His disciples, "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) So these "brothers" are the family of believers. Second, this "love" is also not the standard love our world (and most Christians) think. It's not a "warm affection." Again, Jesus's instruction to His disciples was, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34) That "love one another" is not a new commandment, but "as I have loved you" is. This is the love John has in mind. In fact, he specifies this. "By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:16) The love we're supposed to know -- the love we're supposed to be practicing toward fellow believers -- is the love that lays down our lives in favor of our fellow believers ... as Christ did.
So, what does that look like? John doesn't leave it to our imagination. This love, this specific, assurance-level love, this love-like-Christ-loved love is "in deed and in truth" and not merely "in word or talk" (1 John 3:18). This love sees a brother (fellow believer, remember) in need and contributes "the world's goods" -- what we have on hand to meet the need (1 John 3:17). It is indeed laying down your life for others. This love is an action word and functions in truth with a sense of sacrifice as a good thing. At this point, "warm affection" comes across as fairly weak, doesn't it?
There is one more aspect to this. John says that our prayers are answered if "we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him." (1 John 3:22) This is our full assurance. But what does he mean by "keep His commandments"? Not "be good." John has two specific commands in mind -- "believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another." (1 John 3:23) That isn't merely "believe in Jesus," but an active dedication to His character and His authority ("name"). And that is something outside of the capability of those who are not born of God. That is a product of abiding in Him and Him in us by the Spirit (1 John 3:24).
Assurance of your salvation is indeed possible. Even advisable. But not some cheap assurance. "I said the Sinner's Prayer. I'm in!" This one, as it turns out, requires the impossible. At least, the humanly impossible. If you find that you are living a life dedicated to the character and authority of Christ and loving your fellow believers in deed and truth by sacrificially and intentionally seeing and meeting their needs, you can be confident that you are in Him, not because you're doing okay, but because you're doing what can't be done humanly. That's much more sure assurance.
No comments:
Post a Comment