The central message of I John is about Assurance of Salvation 

      I John, II John, III John, and Jude are four very short New Testament letters included in the Christian Bible. Three of them (2 John, 3 John, and Jude) rank among the five shortest books of the Bible by word count, and each consists of only a single chapter.     

 These four little books when combined contain about the same number of verses in the epistle to the Ephesians.

     Despite their short length and few in words, these books deliver concentrated, powerful heavy-hitting theological truths for believers then and now.

I – WHO IS THE WRITER OF I JOHN?

 John, the apostle is the human writer of I John. John also wrote II John, III John, Gospel of John and Revelation.  

 According to ancient Christian history, John spent his final years in Ephesus, located in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)    

 Where can we find Ephesus on a Bible map? Ephesus is located on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) along the Aegean Sea. On standard back-of-the-Bible maps, you will find it in the region labeled Asia, near other ancient cities like Smyrna, Miletus, and Patmos, frequently highlighted during Paul's missionary journeys. 

II – WHEN THE BOOK OF I JOHN WAS WRITTEN?

     With approximately around 90 A.D. widely accepted as a probable date when John wrote the book of I John. During this late stage of his life, John was likely living and ministering in Ephesus as the last surviving original apostle.

III – WHO WAS THE ANOTHER PREACHER AT EPHESUS THAT PAUL WROTE?

     The Ephesian church had famous leaders and were blessed with excellent teachers and preachers like the Apostle Paul, Apollos, and Timothy. These teachers helped the believers grow strong in their faith by sharing important spiritual truths and guiding the early Christian community.

     Paul started the church during his missionary journey and spent and taught there for a long time, about three years. Apollos, an eloquent speaker, visited early on and spoke with great power and skill. Timothy, led and guided the church later after Paul left. So, there was no shortage of good preachers and teachers in Ephesus.

     Who spent nearly three years preaching and teaching the gospel in Ephesus? __________ (Acts 20:16, 31).     

Acts 20:16, 31 “For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. ³¹ Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

      What was the name of another preacher at Ephesus whom Paul wrote? ________ (I Timothy 1:2-3)

I Timothy 1:2-3 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. ³ As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”

The preacher that Paul wrote to in 1 Timothy 1:2-3 was Timothy, whom Paul called his "true son in the faith." Paul left him in Ephesus to command certain people not to teach false doctrines.   

Apostle John spent his final years in Ephesus, the same major Roman city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where Timothy served as a leader or pastor.  

IV – WHY JOHN WROTE THE BOOK OF I JOHN?

Reasons why John write the book of I John?

John wanted believers to share a deep, real connection with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and one another.

I John 1:3 “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have _________ with us: and truly our fellowship is with the ______, and with his __________.”

I John 1:3 “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

True and lasting happiness comes from walking in the light of this divine fellowship.

I John 1:4 “And these things write we unto you, that your ____ may be _____.”

I John 1:4 “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

     John wanted believers to live in holiness.

I John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye ____   ____. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

I John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

     John wanted believers what to do when they commit sin. John urges believers to turn away from sin.

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

     John wrote these warnings to the early to counter deceivers and an early form of heresy (such as Docetism or early Gnosticism) where teachers denied the true physical humanity and incarnation of Jesus Christ.

I John 4:1-3 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ² Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ³ And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

John tells believers to test every spirit and warns that many false prophets are in the world. John warns that any spirit or teacher who does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the physical flesh is not from God, but is the spirit of the antichrist.

I John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

     To whom John write these things? Did John write these things to believers or unbelievers? ______ (I John 5:13).

     John wrote so believers could know with confidence that they belong to God. 

     John wrote these things to the believers, so that they might ______

     So, the Bible was written so that believers not may hope, not may feel, not may think, but may know that they have assurance of eternal life. 

V – WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN AND THE BOOK OF I JOHN?

COMPARISON OF THE PURPOSE BETWEEN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN AND THE EPISTLE OF JOHN

VI – HOW CAN YOU HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION?

      How can you have assurance of salvation? Consider 1 John 5:11–13 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

     Who is it that has the Son? They are those who have believed in Him (John 1:12). If you have Jesus, you have life. Not temporary life, but eternal. And, according to 1 John 5:13, you can know that you have this eternal life.       

      Assurance of salvation means every child of God can have complete, God-given certainty of eternal life based on God’s promises in 1 John 5:13, rather than relying on shifting human feelings or doubts.

     If anyone who has assurance of salvation can confidently say, “I know that I have eternal life” and can able to say “I am sure and convinced that I have the Son of God and the life of God”. Complete the missing words:

I John 5:12 “He that hath the _____ hath _____; and he that hath not the _____   ___   _____ God hath not _____.”

I John 5:12 “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

VII – WHY MANY PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION?

     Many people feel unsure about their salvation and only "hope so," “think so” but very few "know so". God wants people to have clear peace and full trust through His promises.

     You will able to tell if he or she has assurance of salvation by their answer if you ask a very religious person or someone who belongs to a cult a question “if you were die today, do you know for sure that you will go to heaven? Are you sure that you are saved and have eternal life?”

Reasons for lack of Assurance according to I John:

been transformed by God (1 John 3:6–9).

I John 3:6-9 “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. ⁷ Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ⁸ He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. ⁹ Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

I John 1:8, 10 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

absence of eternal life (1 John 2:9–11, 3:14–15)

I John 2:9-11 “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. ¹⁰ He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. ¹¹ But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

I John 3:14-15 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. ¹⁵ Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

spirit (1 John 2:22, 4:2–3).

I John 2:22 “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”

I John 4:2-3 “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

³ And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

that person (1 John 2:15).

I John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. “

greater than our hearts (1 John 3:20–21).

I John 3:20-21 “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”

VIII – HOW CAN WE TELL IF A PERSON IS DEAD OR ALIVE?

     If a person walking, talking, eating and laughing, we are certain that person still alive physically. If a person is dead, expectedly could not do those things.

     Please give some signs of physical life?

1. ____________
2. ____________
3. ____________
4. ____________
5. ____________

     How can you tell if a person is actually dead or sleeping?   You can tell if a person is dead or sleeping by checking for breathing, feeling for a pulse, and testing for physical responsiveness.

     A person is physically alive when some of the signs are evident:

1. They display vital biological functions or having vital signs like a heartbeat (a pulse can be fell at the wrist or the side of the neck); breathing (the chest rises and falls, and air moves through the nose or mouth); body temperature (the skin feels warm to the touch) and responsiveness to their environment.
2. If there is the brain activity like the reflexes (the eyes blink or pupils (black in the middle of iris – shrink when a bright light shines near them); responsiveness to their environment (the person reacts when you speak to them, touch their skin, or apply a gentle stimulus.
3. If there are movement and awareness like muscle tone (the body shows natural stiffness or movement rather than total limpness; communication (the person talks, makes facial expressions, or shifts their position).

     Since there is a great difference between a person who are physically alive and those who are physically dead, this fact is also true in the spiritual realm. There is a great difference between a person who are spiritually alive in Christ and those who are spiritually dead in ___________? (Ephesians 2:5).

Ephesians 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

Why Dead in sins? Because the Bible says in Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” All men have inherited sinful nature from Adam when he disobeyed God and Adam was separated from God. That is spiritual death even when a man is physical alive.

The book of 1 John clearly contrasts spiritual life in Christ with spiritual death in sin by looking at a person's actions, love, and beliefs.

     John gives some of the differences between those who are alive in Christ and those who are dead in sins:

1. Alive in Christ (Children of God)
   1. Walk in the light: They live honestly and follow God's truth ([1 John 1:7]).
   2. Obey commands: They show love for God by keeping His word ([1 John 2:3]).
   3. Love others: They actively care for and love their fellow believers ([1 John 3:14]).
   4. Have eternal life: They possess life because they have the Son of God ([1 John 5:12]).
2. Dead in Sins (In the Darkness)
   1. Walk in darkness: They claim fellowship with God while continuing to live in sin ([1 John 1:6]).
   2. Show hatred: They harbor hatred or indifference toward other people ([1 John 3:15]).
   3. Love the world: Their main focus is on worldly desires instead of God's will ([1 John 2:15]).
   4. Deny the truth: They reject the true identity and teaching of Jesus Christ ([1 John 2:22]).

  The book of I John shows the difference of those who are spiritually alive and those who are spiritually dead.

Put the given verses below in the blank middle corner of the next chart.

Answers:

I John 2:9-11 “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. ¹⁰ He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. ¹¹ But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

I John 4:5-6 “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. ⁶ We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

I John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

I John 2:22-23 “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. ²³ Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”

I John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. ⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

I John 5:9-10 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. ¹⁰ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

I John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

I John 5:12 “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

I John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

     If we truly have the life of Christ, there should be certain evidences in our life that proves that we have really been genuinely saved through inner transformation, a growing love for God, and the production of the fruit of the Spirit over time. If the

     If the true and living God is really in me (II Corinthians 13:5) and if God is really working in me (Philippians 2:13), then this will certainly make a difference in my life. That is the difference of a man who are spiritual alive from those who are spiritual dead in sins.

     When God lives in you (II Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”) and works (Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”)  inside you, it completely transforms your character, your choices, and your daily life.

IX – WHAT ARE THE KEY SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL LIFE?

     The book of 1 John lists key signs of spiritual life to show who truly knows God.

Put the letter at the blank to match with the statements:

Answers of the above matching type:

1. I John 1:9
2. I John 2:29; I John 3:7
3. I John 2:3-4
4. I John 3:6,8,9; I John 5:18
5. I John 5:9-10
6. I John 3:14; I John 4:7-8, 20

Are all these signs of life manifested in your life? Are you spiritually dead or alive? If the given spiritual signs are not found in your life, then your spiritual life have a very serious problem condition. Either you are very sick spiritually or you are spiritually dead.

     A genuine believers of Christ can fall many times and fail in many ways. A believer can experience a period of backsliding where their active fellowship with God is hindered by sin or worldliness.

There are three things happens when a believer living in sin:

1. God chastens (Hebrews 12:6-8) – God chastens them as an expression of His deep love and His desire to guide a believer back into a close relationship with Him.
2. God convicts (John 16:8) – The conviction of a sinning believer by the Holy Spirit is a biblical concept describing God's active pursuit and restoration of His people.
3. God’s child confesses (I John 1:9) – God promise to forgive when every sinning child of God confesses his sins. God does not just forgive; He also purifies us from moral guilt. Confession brings joy for it removes the heavy burden of hidden guilt, it restores close fellowship with our Heavenly Father and it helps us walk in the light and truth of His love.

If there is no chastening (Hebrews 12:7-8 “But if ye be without chastisement. . .then are ye bastards, and not sons”)

If there is no conviction (someone keeps sinning without confession, it seems that person does not care), something is missing. It could be that person do not have the Son, so that is why that person has no life (I John 5:12).

     In that very critical spiritual condition, that person needs to obey the commandment of God in I John 3:23 “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

     To have life in Christ, a person has to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, I John 5:12-13 “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

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