Salvation, Forgiveness, and Assurance

 

The Epistle of 1 John is a profound explanation of the Christian faith, written by the beloved apostle John, who was an eyewitness to the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this Epistle, John tackles some of the most fundamental aspects of the Christian life, including salvation, forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of eternal life. One particular passage that has been a source of comfort and encouragement for believers throughout the ages is 1 John 1:5-13, which we shall examine in depth in this blog post.

As we delve into this passage, we will draw upon the inspired Word of God. Additionally, we will incorporate the profound insights in the opening remarks, which eloquently capture the essence of salvation, forgiveness, and assurance in the Christian walk.

The Essence of God's Character (1 John 1:5)

John begins this section by declaring a fundamental truth about God's character: "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5, ESV). This statement serves as the foundation for understanding the nature of our relationship with God and the necessity of walking in the light.

The metaphor of light is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, representing truth, purity, and holiness. In contrast, darkness symbolizes falsehood, sin, and separation from God. By proclaiming that God is light and that there is no darkness in Him, John establishes our heavenly Father's absolute perfection and sinlessness.

Walking in the Light (1 John 1:6-7)

Building upon this foundational truth, John addresses the importance of walking in the light, stating, "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:6-7, ESV).

John's words serve as a sobering reminder that our actions and lifestyle must align with our profession of faith. To claim fellowship with God while willfully embracing sin and darkness is a contradiction and a lie. True fellowship with God requires walking in the light, which involves obeying His commands and seeking to emulate His holiness.

Moreover, John emphasizes the profound truth that when we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. This statement underscores the efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, which provides forgiveness and purification for all who place their faith in Him.

The Reality of Sin (1 John 1:8-10)

While walking in the light is the desired state for believers, John acknowledges the reality of sin and the need for ongoing cleansing. He writes, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:8-10, ESV).

In these verses, John addresses the tendency of some to deny the presence of sin in their lives, either through self-deception or outright denial. He emphatically states that such claims are false and contradict the very nature of God's truth.

However, John provides a way forward by emphasizing the importance of confession. When we humbly acknowledge our sins before God, He faithfully forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. This promise is rooted in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the penalty for our sins.

Forgiveness and Cleansing (1 John 1:9)

The promise of forgiveness and cleansing found in 1 John 1:9 is a powerful source of encouragement and assurance for believers: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (ESV).

This verse encapsulates the essence of God's grace and mercy and His unwavering commitment to restore and renew those who come to Him in repentance. The word "faithful" speaks to God's steadfast nature, emphasizing that He will always fulfill His promises. The term "just" highlights God's righteousness and that His forgiveness is based on the atoning work of Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins.

The promise of cleansing from all unrighteousness accompanies the promise of forgiveness. This cleansing is not merely a superficial covering of sin but a deep, transformative work that purifies us from the stain and consequences of our transgressions.

Assurance of Salvation (1 John 1:10-13)

In the closing verses of this passage, John addresses the assurance of salvation, a topic of utmost importance for believers. He writes, "If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing you these things so you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 1:10-12, ESV).

John's words remind us that denying the reality of sin is equivalent to calling God a liar, as it contradicts His Word and the very reason for Christ's atoning sacrifice. However, John's intent is not to condemn believers but to encourage them to live righteous and holiness.

Even when we sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the righteous one. The Greek word for "advocate" is "paraclete," which means "one who pleads another's cause." Christ is our intercessor, standing before the Father on our behalf, pleading for our forgiveness and restoration.

John then provides a profound statement about the scope of Christ's redemptive work: "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2, ESV). The word "propitiation" refers to the sacrifice that satisfies God's wrath and makes atonement for sin. Christ's sacrifice was not limited to a select few but was offered for the sins of the entire world, making salvation available to all who believe.

John concludes this passage with a reassuring statement: "By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him" (1 John 3:19, ESV). These words offer comfort and assurance to believers, reminding them that their salvation is secure and their hearts can be reassured before God.

Salvation and Forgiveness: A Beautiful Analogy

The opening remarks provided a beautiful analogy to illustrate the concepts of salvation, forgiveness, and assurance. When we first come to Jesus with our guilt and shame, confessing our sins and receiving Him as our Savior, He cleanses us from our sins and makes us new, just as murky water is transformed into clean drinking water. The joy of standing with God because of Jesus' sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21) and knowing that our sins are removed as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12) is indescribable.

However, as the apostle John reminds us, this initial cleansing does not mean we will never sin again. When we do sin, we can be assured by the image of a water filter and be comforted by the promise found in 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (ESV).

This analogy beautifully illustrates the ongoing confession, forgiveness, and purification process that believers experience throughout their Christian journey. Just as a water filter continuously cleanses and purifies water, so does Christ's atoning work continually cleanse and purify us from the stain of sin when we confess and repent.

The Assurance of Salvation

The opening remarks promise forgiveness and cleansing and address the assurance of salvation. If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe that He is risen from the dead, we are saved (Romans 10:9). This is the record, the undeniable truth proclaimed by God Himself.

The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his Epistle to the Romans, declaring, "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me" (2 Timothy 1:12, ESV). Paul expresses his unwavering confidence in the Lord, knowing that his salvation is secure and that Christ will preserve him until the Day of redemption.

Moreover, Paul affirms the unbreakable nature of our salvation in Romans 8:38-39, stating, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (ESV). This powerful declaration reminds us that nothing in this world or the world to come can sever the bond between us and our Savior.

The Gospel of John further reinforces this truth, with Jesus Himself declaring, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life" (John 3:36, ESV). These words from our Lord and Savior provide the ultimate assurance of salvation for those who place their faith in Him.

The opening remarks encourage us to read and claim these verses, reminding us that God desires us to have a "know-so" salvation – a confident, unwavering assurance of our eternal security in Christ. We are called to claim this assurance and rejoice in God's certainty.

The Basis of Our Assurance

But what is the basis for this assurance of salvation? The answer lies in God's character and promises. As the apostle John declares in 1 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" (ESV).

The faithfulness of God is the foundation upon which our assurance rests. God is unwavering in His commitment to His promises, and His character is unchanging. When we confess our sins, we can be assured that He will forgive us because He is faithful to His Word.

Furthermore, God's justice is also a source of assurance. Because of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, God can justly forgive our sins without compromising His holiness. The debt of our sin has been paid in full, and God's righteous demands have been satisfied.

The role of Christ's finished work on the cross cannot be overstated. As the apostle John declares in 1 John 2:2, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (ESV). The word "propitiation" refers to the atoning sacrifice that satisfies God's wrath and makes atonement for sin. Christ's sacrifice was not limited to a select few but was offered for the sins of the entire world, making salvation available to all who believe.

The Epistle to the Hebrews further affirms the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, stating, "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14, ESV). This verse declares that Christ's sacrifice was a once-for-all event sufficient to secure the salvation of all who believe in Him.

Living with Assurance

As believers, we are called to live confidently in the assurance of our salvation, recognizing that our standing before God is not based on our own efforts or merits but on the finished work of Christ. This assurance should not lead to complacency or a disregard for holy living, but rather, it should serve as a wellspring of gratitude, obedience, and faithful service.

The Apostle John addresses this in 1 John 2:3-6, writing, "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (ESV).

John reminds us that our obedience to God's commandments is a fruit of our salvation, not the root of it. Keeping God's commandments is evidence that we truly know Him and that His love has been perfected in us. As those who abide in Christ, we are called to walk as He walked, emulating His example of obedience and holiness.

The Epistle of 1 John also guides cultivating and maintaining this assurance of salvation. In 1 John 3:19-24, John writes:

"By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our hearts before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us" (ESV).

John provides practical guidance for reassuring our hearts before God in this passage. When our hearts condemn us, we are reminded that God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. This truth should give us confidence and assurance, as our standing before God is not based on our feelings or self-condemnation but on the objective reality of His grace and mercy.

John also emphasizes the importance of keeping God's commandments and doing what pleases Him. Obedience to God's commandments is not a means of earning salvation but a natural outflow of our love for Him and our desire to walk in His ways.

Ultimately, our assurance of salvation is rooted in the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. John declares that we know God abides in us by the Spirit He has given us. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14), and His presence in our lives constantly reminds us of our secure standing before God.

Conclusion

The passage of 1 John 1:5-13, along with the associated Scriptures and the insights provided in the opening remarks, offers a profound and comprehensive understanding of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of eternal life. Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the faithful promises of God, we can experience the joy of being cleansed from our sins and made righteous before our heavenly Father.

As believers, we are called to walk in the light, continually confessing our sins and allowing the blood of Christ to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This ongoing process of repentance and forgiveness should not be a source of fear or uncertainty but rather a reminder of the incredible grace and mercy extended to us through the finished work of our Savior.

Moreover, we can rest in the assurance of our salvation, knowing that our standing before God is secure and unshakable. This assurance is rooted in God's character and promises, the sufficiency of Christ's atoning sacrifice, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. It is a "know-so" salvation, a certainty that transcends our feelings and circumstances.

As we live out our faith, let us cling to the promises of God's Word and the assurance of our salvation. Let us walk in obedience and holiness, not to earn our salvation but as a grateful response to the amazing grace we have received. And let us share this glorious message of forgiveness and eternal life with others so that they, too, may experience the Gospel's transformative power.

In the words of the apostle John, "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" (1 John 5:13, ESV). May this truth resonate in our hearts and minds, giving us unwavering confidence and assurance in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.