Do we really know God? How can we know for sure??
Message for the doubting.
Study based on I John
I read these Scripture passages as a young teen of 16 in 2003, when I was going through times of doubt. I read I John 1-3 over and over again. Took me the whole Summer, and the summer ended with assurances and surrender which resulted in a deep peace. I also read that summer a book by Ralph Sexton called, Oh If I Only Knew I Was Saved!. I read this first, then I was directed to I John 1-3. It really changed my life and gave me purpose to walk in the light with assurance and not fear. I still read from time to time the chapters of Scripture and the book. It always makes me remember. That summer I gave God my whole heart without a shadow of a doubt.
I have notes and verses from the parts of this passage that really made me truly understand.
1 John 4:9-10
“9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
God sent His Son to manifest Himself to us so that we could live through Him. I am so glad God proclaims me, tames me; has saved me!
1 John 3:6
“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”
And I John 2:8b,9
The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
Walk, as He walked.
The darkness is in the past and the true light now shines brightly. The love of God can be perfected in you!
God gives us His Spirit. See, this is how we know He is the True Spirit!!!
Are we walking in the light? Is there any shadow from the darkness still remaining? Think about it, we can't walk in the light and darkness too.
~based on 1 John 2 and 3
1 John 3:19-21
“19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”
~God is greater that our hearts and He knows all things.
~If our heart should condemn us. Then we should have confidence toward God!
End of 3rd John – verse 24
“He that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
~We keep His commandments and He dwells in us; and that is how we know we have His Spirit within us!
by Katy W.