Have you ever asked, “How do I make sure my counselee is saved? How do I know if this person merely professes faith but does not possess saving faith in Christ?”
On one hand, we must not teach an unbeliever to simply obey the Bible. That is to create a whitewashed tomb (Matthew 23:27). One early counseling case later revealed that I failed to confront him because I too easily accepted his profession of faith. The letter of 1 John could have exposed his hypocrisy.
On the other hand, we must not leave a genuine believer in anguish as he doubts his salvation. Over the past few years, I’ve counseled many young men who turned out to be genuine believers but lacked assurance. 1 John provided biblical hope, helping them to look to Christ and see that their salvation is accomplished and secured!
The purpose of this article is to equip counselors with specific tests from 1 John to help both groups. In my counseling, I have used 1 John for these purposes and found the letter reveals the sin of unbelief while also providing comfort to believers through a right understanding of Christ’s person and work in relation to their faith.
Purpose Statement
John provides a purpose statement in 1 John 5:13— “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” To accomplish this, he provides a series of largely objective tests. These fall into two main categories: tests of belief and behavior—helping counselees to examine whether they truly have the Son (1 John 5:12). Nothing is more urgent or precious than knowing one possesses true, saving faith in Christ. The very pressures of life that bring the counselees into the counseling room can become an opportunity to walk through the following tests together.
Tests of Belief
The first category concerns one’s belief system and has two components, both pertaining to Jesus. The first is His identity. The second is His work of salvation.
Belief in Jesus’ Identity
Jesus asked His disciples in Mark 8:27, “Who do people say that I am?” This is a major component of 1 John. Below is a list designed to equip believers with tools to guide counselees in examining their faith:
- Belief in Jesus’ Pre–Incarnate Deity (1:1). John begins the letter with, “What was from the beginning…” This is intentionally parallel to God’s introduction in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning.” Jesus’ pre-existence demonstrates that He is God (cf. John 1:1; 8:58).
- Belief in Jesus’ Full Humanity (1:1–4; 4:1–3). In 4:2, John clearly states that, “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” Jesus has to be fully human in order to die on the cross.
- Belief in the Witnesses of Jesus (5:6–12). The Old Testament law required two or three witnesses to prove a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). John points out a plethora of witnesses to Christ’s identity in 1 John. Not only had Jesus testified about Himself in John 8:14, but 1 John adds several more witnesses: the Father, the Spirit, the water of Jesus’ baptism, and the blood Jesus shed on the cross. While an unbeliever suppresses the truth (Romans 1:18), the regenerated soul hears and believes the witnesses all cry out that Jesus is the Christ who laid down His life for the sheep.
- Belief that Jesus is the Old Testament’s Promised Messiah (2:20–23; 4:4–6). John employs the title, “Christ,” which has deep roots in the Old Testament promised Messiah (cf. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
- Belief that Jesus is the Son of God (4:11–16). To deny that Jesus is the second member of the Trinity is to deny the faith Christians hold dear (cf. Psalm 2:12; Matthew 4:3, 6; 8:20; 26:63–64; John 5:18).
- Remain in the faith (2:24–27; 3:19 – 24; 5:18–20). Twice in 2:24-27, John references the fact that true Christians abide in the faith. If one abandons the Christian faith, it is a sign that they were never saved to begin with (cf. 2:19; John 10:27–30; Romans 8:32–39).
Belief in Jesus’ Finished Work on the Cross
Jesus’ perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection are crucial elements to saving faith. The author of Hebrews, with the background of the Law, points out that Jesus is the perfect High Priest as well as the perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:1–14).
- Have confidence about the Day of Judgment (2:28–29). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). However, this is not a trembling fear of judgment. A Christian should—and any Christian can—have assurance that they will not be judged for sin.
- Eager for Christ’s return (3:1–3). Unbelievers will be terrified and mourn when Jesus returns (Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 6:15–17). Christians, on the other hand, rejoice that He is coming quickly to judge the earth and take His children to glory (cf. Psalm 98:7–9; Zechariah 14:4; John 5:22; Revelation 1:14, 17).
Tests of Behavior
The second major test is one’s behavior. Works do not save (Romans 3:20). James warns, however, that faith without resultant works is superficial and dead (James 2:14 – 26). In this same vein, Jesus challenged His hearers in Luke 6:46 with, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Likewise, Jesus told the crowd in Mark 8:34, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Now, John provides tests of behavior to help the genuine Christian find confidence. A natural byproduct is to expose the false convert.
- Behavior matches one’s profession of faith (1:5–7; 2:3–6; 3:4–10). Broadly speaking, John warns that someone’s faith is revealed in their behavior. Jesus likewise challenged His hearers to show evidence of genuine salvation by their works (Luke 6:46; cf. James 2:17).
- Confess sin (1:8–10). Christians do not hide their sin. Rather, they confess them because they know they still sin, and that God is gracious to forgive because of Christ (cf. Psalm 32:3).
- Grow spiritually (2:1–2, 12–14). John explains that Christians grow in the likeness of Christ (cf. Romans 8:28–29). This is probably the most effective way to help a genuine Christians find assurance. They struggle with sin—so they doubt—but as they look back on their growth over time, they can find assurance that they are no longer slaves to sin.
- Show biblical love for other Christians (2:7–11; 3:11–12, 14–18; 4:7–10, 17–21; 5:2–4). The overwhelming use of the Greek word ἀγαπάω (agapaō) and its corresponding noun are not merely a feeling of love, but a commitment that results in action. Loving and serving the needs of one another and obeying all the other one-another commandments are what a Christian does, even when he doesn’t feel like it.
- Not love the world (2:15–17). John demonstrates that love of the world is antithetical to love of God. Verse 16 records, “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
- Hated by the world (3:13). This is uncomfortable, but true. Jesus said the world will hate us if we remain faithful to Him. Christians should seek to be at peace with all men but know that the world hates God’s children (cf. John 15:18; Romans 12:18).
- Remain in a local church body (2:18–19). John warns that leaving a good local church is a sign that one doesn’t belong to the body of Christ. This does not necessarily refer to changing churches, but a complete forsaking of regular fellowship with a true Bible-believing body (cf. Hebrews 10:25).
- Love for God (4:19–20; 5:1). Love for God is a sign of genuine faith. Jesus explained in Matthew 6:24 that no one can serve two masters, which Jesus connects with love. He explained that this person will either love one Master (God) or the other (not God). Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 8: 3 that, “if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.” Love for God is indicated by a changed life that stems from a redirection of affections, from loving self to loving God and others. John states in 4:20 that “the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” He adds in 5:1 that, “whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him,” and so, loving one other would also be a fruit of genuine love for God.
- Confidence in prayer (5:13–15). James warned in James 1:6–7 that a doubting person shouldn’t expect to receive anything. Christians, on the other hand, have confidence in prayer because we know Jesus has granted us access to the throne of grace (cf. Psalm 37:4; Hebrews 4:14–16).
- Seek wandering Christians (5:16–17). A Christian should not watch a fellow believer wander in sin. A Christian knows that it will displease God, dishonor Christ, and invite God’s discipline. Thus, he will seek to restore his brother back to Christ and the local body (cf. Matthew 18:15–20; Galatians 6:1–3).
No Christian does all this perfectly (1 John 1:8), but the key is a trajectory. My hope is that the book of 1 John will help bring light to the counseling room. By studying and using it, we can help the deceived see their need for Christ and give tremendous hope to the doubting, despondent Christian.