Assurance from Obedience
1 Jn. 3:19-24
Introduction
As we have learned last week, love includes sacrifice. Love becomes a reality when we put it into action
not just in words. Godly love always meets the needs of others. Obeying the Lord cannot be under
emphasized because as children of God we must always obey the Lord’s commands. There were so
many benefits in obeying God as we can see here.
I. Assurance (1 Jn. 3:19-21)
A. Love put into action not just in words is a solid evidence or proof of salvation. We can
never prove our love to our Lord Jesus Christ by being disobedient.
B. The manifestation of Biblical love in our life is an outward proof that we are really
children of God.
C. By seeing that we Christians love in deed and in truth, we have the assurance that we
belong to Christ, the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6), and we have passed from
death unto life.
D. Aside from Biblical love there are other things that we can give us assurance of our
salvation, they are:
1. Resting on the Word of God (John 1:12),
2. The witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16),
3. Keeping God’s Word (I John 2:5)
4. Walking like Christ (I John 2:6),
5. Not loving the world (I John 2:15)
6. Purification (I John 3:3),
7. Answered prayer (I John 3:22),
8. Overcoming the world (I John 5:4).
E. Apart from this, we know that our conscience was clear. In these verses I honestly
think that the heart refers to the conscience, as in Acts 2:37.
F. How then can we have clear conscience? By confessing and forsaking sin, as we have
learned from Chapter 1:7, 9 and Chapter 2:1.
G. Within our hearts, we have confidence before the Lord.
H. One thing is our conscience is not perfect. We must not depend on it.
I. Sometimes it makes us feel guilty and cannot give peace and rest. Only God can do
this as a result of our obedience to Him.
J. God is greater than our conscience so we appeal to Him. He knows everything. In John
21:15-19, the Lord searched Peter’s heart (conscience), and Peter’s response was,
Lord you know all things.
K. A conscience stained by sin is a big barrier between us and God. But when it has been
cleaned (as in verse 19), we have courage to come into God’s presence. We can feel
free and happy, with nothing to cover up
L. Christian, do you doubt your salvation until now? Take a look again at your Bible.
Trust God and His Word.
Illustration 1: Angel of Light
An elderly man said to H.A. Ironside, “I will not go on unless I know I’m saved, or else know it’s hopeless
to seek to be sure of it. I want a definite witness, something I can’t be mistaken about!”
Ironside replied, “Suppose you had a vision of an angel who told you your sins were forgiven. Would
that be enough to rest on?”
“Yes, I think it would. An angel should be right.”
Ironside continued, “But suppose on your deathbed Satan came and said, ‘I was that angel,
transformed to deceive you.’ What would you say?”
The man was speechless. Ironside then told him that God has given us something more dependable
than the voice of an angel. He has given His Son, who died for our sins, and He has testified in His own
Word that if we trust Him all our sins are gone. Ironside read I John 5:13, “You may know that you
have eternal life.” Then he said, “Is that not enough to rest on? It is a letter from heaven expressly to
you.” God’s Spirit used that to bring assurance to the man’s heart.
Source unknown
II. Answered Prayers (1 Jn. 22-23)
A. Our prayer life will be richer and more blessed. (Heb. 4:16, Heb. 10:19)
B. Here are more verses which may help you as you pray:
1. John 16:23, 26
2. Mark 11:24
3. Luke 11:9-13
4. James 1:5
C. We receive answers to our prayers when we please Him.
D. Pleasing God is more than just obeying His commands, it also means to love Him fully.
Jn. 8:29
E. What are His commands?
1. Believe in His name. In the Bible a person’s name often refers more to his
character than just to identify him. Believing Him is trusting Him personally and
fully.
2. Love one another (1 Jn. 3:11).
F. Because we are keeping the commandments of God (of which loving the brethren is
one), we can please the Lord.
G. “Commandment-keeping” is a condition upon which God hears prayer, just as it is a
condition upon which Christ promises His abiding love – Jn 15:10
Illustration 2: Josh McDowell
While Josh McDowell was attending seminary in California, his father went Home to be with the Lord.
His mother had died years earlier, but Josh was not sure of her salvation. He became depressed,
thinking that she might be lost. Was she a Christian or not? The thought obsessed him. “Lord,” he
prayed, “somehow give me the answer so I can get back to normal. I’ve just got to know.” It seemed
like an impossible request.
Two days later, Josh drove out to the ocean. He walked to the end of a pier to be alone. There sat an
old woman in a lawn chair, fishing. “Where’s your home originally?” she asked.
“Michigan—Union City,” Josh replied. “Nobody’s heard of it. I tell people it’s a suburb of —”
“Battle Creek,” interrupted the woman. “I had a cousin from there. Did you know the McDowell
family?”
Stunned, Josh responded, “Yes, I’m Josh McDowell!”
“I can’t believe it,” said the woman. “I’m a cousin to your mother.”
“Do you remember anything at all about my mother’s spiritual life?” asked Josh.
“Why sure—your mom and I were just girls—teenagers—when a tent revival came to town. It was the
fourth night—we both went forward to accept Christ.”
“Praise God!” shouted Josh, startling the surrounding fishermen.
Our Daily Bread, September 18
III. Abiding in Christ
A. What are the marks of those who obey Him?
1. They abide or live with Him
2. He lives continually in them
3. The Spirit living in them is proof. Notice the term “dwelleth in Him and he in Him”
works both ways, God in us and we in Him (3:24, 4:13, 15, 16)
B. So, we see that assurance comes from: (aside from those I have mentioned earlier)
1. Love (v. 19)
2. Sincerity (vs. 19,20)
3. Obedience (vs. 22, 23, 24)
4. Possession of the Holy Spirit (v. 24, Rom. 8:9)
Illustration 3: Evidences of Abiding in Christ
1. Not Practicing Sin. (1 John 3:6).
2. Keeping God’s Commandments. (1 John 3:24.).
3. Bearing Fruit. (John 15:5).
4. Loving Each Other. (1 John 2:10; 4:13.).
5. Walking as Christ Walked. (1 John 2:6).
6. Continuing in Christ’s Word (John 8:31).
7. Faithfulness to God’s Truth. (1 John 2:24, 2 John 9). from 1000 Bible Study Outlines
IV. Conclusion:
Obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ gives us assurance, can cause answered prayers and a
condition in which He will have His abiding presence in us. Are you sure you are saved or
still doubting? Are your prayers answered? Are you abiding in Christ and Christ abides
in you also? If not do something now. Repent from your sins and receive Christ as your
personal Savior. He is waiting for you to come and to obey Him
