Introduction:

1. Many Christians feel they oscillate between a state of saved and lost.

2. While falling from God’s grace is a dreadful thing, Jesus died to give us confidence in God’s presence (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Discussion:

I. Confidence In God’s Love

A. This is the bedrock of faith in and faithfulness to God.

B. God’s love prompted Him to:

1. Sacrifice His only Son (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10)

2. Withhold His wrath from former enemies (Romans 5:5-10; James 4:4).

3. Raise the spiritually dead in His rich mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:4-7).

4. Offer salvation to all (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:4-5; 2 Peter 3:9).

II. Confidence In God’s Promise and Power

A. God’s promise provides a realistic hope of salvation for all (Genesis 3:15; 12:3; 22:15-18; Hebrews 6:13-20).

B. His power ensures He is able to keep His promises (Genesis 18:14; Job 42:2; Isaiah 43:13; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Luke 1:37; 18:27).

III. Confidence In God’s Assurance

A. John wanted his readers to know they had eternal life (1 John 5:13)

B. He gave several measures by which we can know.

1. Light walking and sin confessing assures cleansing (1 John 1:7-9).

2. Keeping His commandments assures we know Him, abide in Him, and He abides in us (1 John 2:3-5a; 3:24; John 17:3).

3. Walking as He did assures we are in Him (1 John 2:5b-6; Ephesians 1:3).

4. Loving the brethren assures we are born of Him and know Him (1 John 2:9-11; 3:14; 4:7-9; 5:2-3).

5. Righteousness assures we are born of Him (1 John 2:28-29; 3:6-10).

1. We ought not live in fear and uncertainty concerning our salvation.

2. Rather, we ought to strive for these attributes and know we have life!