Is Your Faith True and How to Know for Sure

Most theologians believe that First John was written by the Apostle John. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of the Apostle James. The two brothers John and James were known as "sons of thunder" because of their strong love of God and desire for righteousness. We know that the family was well-to-do because they had servants (Mark 1:20) and their mother helped the church financially (Mark 15:40). It was John and James who approached Jesus to ask that they be allowed to sit at his right and left in heaven (March 10:35). We also know John personally knew the high priest (John 18:15) who was an important figure chosen from the upper classes of Jerusalem.

It was John the Apostle and not John the Elder or John the Baptist who wrote this Epistle because there is evidence that the writer was a Palestinian Jew who often quoted the Old Testament and had first-hand knowledge about Palestine and Jewish customs and laws. Second, the author was definitely an eye-witness as to times, places and events surrounding the life of Christ. He was one of the first followers chosen by Jesus, he was with Jesus' mother Mary at the foot of the cross, and tradition holds that he took care of her after Christ was crucified. Also, he was the only Apostle exiled to old age rather than martyred by death. The Epistle was written between 110 AD and 165 AD, and the message of First John presupposes a knowledge by believers of John's original gospel. John's Epistle was written from the area of Ephesus according to tradition and addresses an audience of believers.

MESSAGE:

The beauty of John's message as "the apostle of love" was his conviction and assurance in his beliefs. John's Epistle is not only an affirmation of his belief in Christ's "good news," but a message to more mature Christians how they too can know with assurance their faith is founded on truth. John uses liberally throughout the Epistle the term "hereby know," which occurs 8 times. The term is used to give comfort and assurance to the believer. I John 4:2 "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." I John 4:13 "Hereby know that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit." I John 2:5 "But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know that we are in Him." I John 3:24 "And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us."

CONCLUSION:

Faith may be the belief in what is not seen, but it is not neccessarily the acceptance of what is not known. True faith is built on trust, kept promises, love, community and shared values and beliefs. Blind faith, false hope or wishful thinking are not what God asks of us. We can know with assurance our faith is true because 1) God has given us the Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit) to guide us and we can rely on our own first-hand experience; 2) there is eye-witness testimony down through the ages as to what is true not only by believers but historians like Eusebius; and finally 3) by the sheer numbers of consistent Christians who have come to the same conclusions and affirmations of faith despite the hundreds of different denominations and oppositions brought against the faithful. The next time you are asked for proof as to why you believe the way you do, particularly during times of trial or persecution, you can say with conviction, "I know in whom I have believed and that God is faithful and just to keep me until the day of salvation." Just as personal relationships develop over time and grow in trust, so too does one's relationship with God. Many scientists, theologians and metaphysicians will continue in their attempts at finding concrete physical "proofs" but the only proof you really need is self-affirmation, self-conviction in your own mind and heart. The support of millions who also believe and know God dwells with them should only serve to substantiate the light of truth God has already made evident.