Because John’s letter was about the basics of faith in Christ, it helped his readers reflect honestly on their faith. It helped them answer the question, Are we true believers? John told them that they could tell by looking at their actions. If they loved one another, that was evidence of God’s presence in their lives. But if they bickered and fought all the time or were selfish and did not look out for one another, they were betraying that they, in fact, did not know God.
That did not mean they had to be perfect. In fact, John also recognized that believing involved admitting our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness. Depending on God for cleansing from guilt, along with admitting our wrongs against others and making amends, was another important part of getting to know God.
We explore 14 characteristics of genuine believers. Scriptures referenced include 1 John 5:13; 1 John 1:3, 6-8; 1 John 2:3-5, 15, 20, 29; 1 John 3:3, 5-6, 14, 18-19, 21; 1 John 5:4, 18; 1 John 3:9; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 4:2-3; Matthew 24:24; 1 Corinthians 10:13; and Philippians 2:13.
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