BELT 1

The Marks of a Christian I

Introduction Book of 1st John. Written by the apostle John. Purpose for the book: 1 Jn 5:13 states the book was written that believers might know or be sure they have eternal life or fellowship with God. Written in response to questions about who is a true Christian. Eight Marks of a Christian: A mark is a distinctive, distinguishing feature of something (e.g. tattoo). John gives us 8 marks or evidences of a Christian life; ways that we can tell if we are walking with God or are saved. This is NOT works for salvation, but proof that we have started to walk in Gods good way. 1. Walking in the Light 1 Jn 1:6 Theme of book: Walking in the light vs. walking in the darkness Light = goodness, righteousness and truth Eph 5:8,9, Ps 36:9 Darkness is where things are hidden, not seen [Suggestion: draw the last 7 points under the headings Walking in the Light/Walking in the Darkness] 2. Keeping Gods Commandments 1 Jn 2:3-6; 3:24; 5:3 3:24 He who keeps commandments goes with God and God is with us and God stays with him. 5:3 Obedience for Gods laws shows true love for God. Disobedience shows the opposite. DRAMA: of a religious person who disobeys commands 3. Loving ones brother/friend 1 Jn 2:9-11; 3:10,11,14-18; 4:7, 8, 20, 21 2:9-11 Loving our brother = walking in the light (if not darkness) Who is our brother? 3:10,11 Children of God vs children of the devil 3:14-18 How did Christ show His love for us? v 16 How should we show our love for others? v 17 What does this say about a rich person who doesnt help? What does this say we should do? v 18 Help our friends with all our hearts and really do the good ways 4:7,8 Whoever loves others, loves God and really believes in God is a child of God. Whoever does not love his friends has not seen or known God. 4:20,21 If he cant love his friend that he can see, he is not able to love God whom he has not seen 4. Not loving the world 1 Jn 2:15-17 What is the world in vs 15? The kind of things sinful people want Lust of the eyes: the things people see and love (materialism) Lust of the flesh: pleasing our own bodys desires (gratifying the flesh) in a wrong way Pride of life: Position and Power - strive after in a sinful way, pride, uses in the wrong way once have it. Can you give an example of a person who gets in a high position and doesnt use it properly? If these evidences are truly in your life and are the way you are walking, then you can be confident you are a child of God.

Monica Schumann/Heidi Maaser 11/97

BELT 1

Marks of a Christian II
Introduction: Review from Marks of a Christian I 5. Abiding in Jesus 1 Jn 2:24; 4:12,15,16 Abiding = remaining, to stay close to, to continue with 2:24 If have truth abiding in you (practicing truth) - will abide in God. 4:12,15,16 Loving one another, confesses Jesus, remaining in love Gal 5:7 Run to get the prize; no turning back; no side tracking Rev 3:11 Hold tightly, not loosely or weakly e.g. difference between a weak and firm handshake Jn 15:4-7 Vine and branches; just as bananas stop growing & start dying when removed from the tree, same with us. Jn 8:31-32 The truth will set us free WHEN we continue in the Word. 6. The Witness of the Spirit 1 Jn 3:24; 4:13 A witness - someone who tells what happened God gives us His presence to assure us we belong to Him; tugging or conviction in our heart; lets us know we are part of His family; Holy Spirit welcome committee Rom 8:14-16 No one comes to the Father unless the Spirit draws Only God reserves the right to tell us we are children of God - no priest, pastor has that right. Only God and you know if you are truly saved or not. 7. Practicing Righteousness/ Doing Right Things 1 Jn 2:29; 3:6; 3:10 3:6 If you are abiding in Him you wont sin (Greek: repeatedly continuing to do what know is true). What is your heart motive? God knows the difference between repeated sin because selfish heart and an occasional slip up. Ps 15:1-2 Who may dwell with God? He who does what is right and speaks the truth from the heart. Integrity: doing what is right when it is difficult when no one is looking in the small things Lk 16:10 Faithful in the little things - God can trust you. Honesty: not a half-truth or white lie, done in love 8. Overcoming the World 1 Jn 5:4-5 One of the marks of a Christian is to live in victory over sin. It is possible to live victoriously it is possible to not sin for 1 min.? 2 min.? 2 hr., days, weeks? Power of the Holy Spirit needed Jn 16:13 He will guide you into all truth Rm. 8:26 Interceding for us Ez 36:27 Spirit causes us to walk in obedience to Gods laws Jesus overcame the world Heb 16:33 1 Jn 4:4 Greater is He in us than he in the world Rev 12:11 And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives even to death. Application: Examine yourself. Ask God if theres an area you are not bearing His mark.

Monica Schumann/Heidi Maaser 11/97