Two Simple Tests for Abiding Believers in 1 John
The Apostle John, in his first epistle, provides believers with tests to discern the authenticity of their faith and their abiding relationship with God. These tests are not meant to create doubt but to offer assurance and clarity regarding one's spiritual state [5]. Two prominent tests involve the confession of Jesus Christ and the practice of love for one another.
The first test concerns the confession of Jesus Christ. John writes, "every spirit which presents itself in the person of a prophet" should be "try[ed]" by believers [6]. The crucial point of examination is whether that spirit "confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh" (1 John 4:2). This confession is a "test of being saints" and "an evidence of union with God" [3]. It signifies an acknowledgment of Jesus's true humanity and divinity, a foundational truth of Christian faith [3]. The Holy Spirit is necessary for such a confession, as "no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3) [3]. Conversely, any spirit that does not confess Jesus in this way is identified as the "spirit of Antichrist" [6]. This emphasis on confessing Christ is also found in other New Testament writings, such as Romans 10:9-10, which states that confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in his resurrection is necessary for salvation [3].
The second test for abiding believers is the practice of love. John frequently links love for God with love for fellow believers, stating, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment" (1 John 3:23) [7]. This love is not merely an emotion but an active demonstration of care and concern for others in the Christian community [5]. The presence of love for other believers is presented as an evidence of regeneration and a sign of one's relationship with God [4]. As Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown note, love is "the test of birth from God, and the necessary fruit of knowing his great love in Christ to us" [6]. This love is a reflection of God's own nature, for "God is love" (1 John 4:8).
These tests are not unique to 1 John. The Apostle Paul similarly exhorted believers to "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5) [1, 2]. This self-examination, as John Gill explains, involves looking within oneself to see if one is "in the faith," meaning in the doctrine of faith and having a spiritual experience of it [8]. The purpose of such testing is to provide assurance, leading to "confidence toward God" and a "sure answer to our prayers" [5].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. -- 2 Corinthians 13:5”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 13:5 (BSB) — Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 5 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 1 JOHN 5 In this chapter the apostle treats of the nature of faith and love; of Christ the object of both, and of the witness that is bore to him; of the necessity of believing the testimony concerning him; of the confidence of prayer being heard, and concerning whom it should be made; of the happiness of regenerate persons, and of their duty to keep themselves from idols. Faith in Christ is the evidence of regeneration, and where that is, there will be love to the author of regeneration, and to them that are regenerated; and love to them”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:21: Beloved--There is no "But" contrasting the two cases, Jo1 3:20-21, because "Beloved" sufficiently marks the transition to the case of the brethren walking in the full confidence of love (Jo1 3:18). The two results of our being able to "assure our hearts before Him" (Jo1 3:19), and of "our heart condemning us not" (of insincerity as to the truth in general, and as to LOVE in particular) are, (1) confidence toward God; (2) a sure answer to our prayers. John does not mean that all whose hearts do not condemn them, are therefore safe before God; for some h”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 4 (introduction): TESTS OF FALSE PROPHETS. LOVE, THE TEST OF BIRTH FROM GOD, AND THE NECESSARY FRUIT OF KNOWING HIS GREAT LOVE IN CHRIST TO US. (1Jo. 4:1-21) Beloved--the affectionate address wherewith he calls their attention, as to an important subject. every spirit--which presents itself in the person of a prophet. The Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error, speak by men's spirits as their organs. There is but one Spirit of truth, and one spirit of Antichrist. try--by the tests (Jo1 4:2-3). All believers are to do so: not merely ecclesiastics. Even”
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:23: The apostle, having mentioned keeping the commandments, and pleasing God, as the qualification of effectual petitioners in and with Heaven, here suitably proceeds, I. To represent to us what those commandments primarily and summarily are; they are comprehended in this double one: And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment, Jo1 3:23. To believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ is, 1. To discern what he is, according to his name, to have an intellectual view of his perso”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith,.... These words are to be considered in connection with Co2 13:3 for seeing they sought and demanded a proof the voice and power of Christ in the apostle, he directs them to self examination, to look within themselves, to try, prove, and recognise their own souls; where if things were right, they would find a proof of Christ's speaking in him, to them: he advises them to examine the state of their own souls, and see whether they were in the faith; either in the doctrine of faith, having a spiritual and experimental”