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. (1 John 5:13)
If a person is a child of God, there are certain birthmarks that should be easy to find in his life. These birthmarks should identify him with his Heavenly Father. Last week, we looked at reasons why God gave us the book of 1 John; we also looked at a few identifiers or birthmarks that a believer ought to have in his life. These birthmarks help others see the resemblance to Christ in us.
Let us look at a few other birthmarks that 1 John tells us we ought to have as Christians:
The Birthmark of Truth
The third identifier is the birthmark of truth. We can think of this birthmark as two-fold. First, this birthmark helps us understand the difference between those false prophets who would lie to us and those spiritual leaders who tell us the truth:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 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. (1 John 4:1-3)
Notice how verse one cautions us to not simply blindly believe anyone and everyone who claims to be a Christian, a prophet, a Bible scholar, etc.…especially one claiming to have a “new understanding” of God’s Word or a “new message” from God. Rather, verse one tells us to “try the spirits” that means that we must have the discernment and wisdom to compare those “spiritual” things that others are trying to teach us with what the Bible says. God has given His true children the ability to tell the difference.
Beware of those who try to tell you to let them understand and interpret the Bible for you. A godly pastor, counsellor, or leader will always encourage you to search the scriptures for yourself and to see if they are telling you the truth. Remember, in Acts 17:11, how Paul commended the Bereans for doing just that: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Be a student of God’s Word so that you will be able to discern the difference between truth and lies. With knowledge of God’s Word comes a great deal of common sense.
The second part of this birthmark of truth is the desire and boldness to speak of the truth of Jesus Christ to others:
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 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. (1 John 4:4-6)
It is a somewhat common thing to hear people talk about God, even in these more wicked times. Many people are quick to mention God: “We just need to trust God.” “We need to pray to God.” “Thank God!” Yet, no one wants to talk about Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we must be careful to mention the name of Jesus Christ in our daily conversation. We need to be more specific than simply saying we believe in God; we need to express our faith in Jesus Christ. Christians ought to praise the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The distinction is important because many people in this world say they believe in “God,” but which god do they mean? Do they mean the one true God of the Bible or a false, pagan god? Even if they do mean the one true God, it does not mean that they are saved, born-again Christians. The book of James cautions us against this very thing:
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19)
Another side of this is that many born-again believers are timid and disobedient to God. Many write books, offer prayers, create or share great Instagram or Facebook posts, and even speak in public meetings; they’ll talk about God but won’t mention the name of Jesus because they are afraid of offending someone. We must be bold to share the truth of Jesus Christ with others; this ought to be a very large birthmark in our Christian lives.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15)
The Birthmark of the Holy Spirit
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:13)
The Holy Spirit is a Person. Just as we can know people and get better acquainted with them, we need to be acquainted with the Holy Spirit. His indwelling presence is a birthmark of the true believer.
Other religions will talk about God and “religious experiences,” but they do not talk about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and His power that enables us to live the Christian life. They make no mention of what the Bible calls the filling of the Holy Spirit. These religions know nothing of being baptized by the Spirit of God at the moment of salvation. They have never experienced the spiritual anointing of the Holy Spirit to do the work of God. You will never hear them speak of the eternal security we find in the Holy Spirit of God.
There are other spirits, but there is only one Holy Spirit Who is coequal and coexistent with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is God. We should know Him. This is a birthmark of a believer.
The Birthmark of the Witness Within
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. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: (1 John 5:9-10a)
This final birthmark goes hand in hand with the birthmark of the Holy Spirit. When we trust the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour, God’s Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. He becomes our Witness within. Colossians 1:27 says, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” The Lord lives in each believer and provides assurance that we are His through this divine witness of the Holy Spirit:
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16)
It is the Holy Spirit of God who gives us the assurance of our salvation in Christ:
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
In Conclusion
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. (1 John 5:13)
Pay close attention to the words “These things.” This verse summarizes the book of 1 John. God gave us “these things” to give us proof against those who would have us doubt our salvation in Christ. If we want assurance in Christ, then we must have these birthmarks in our lives—birthmarks of obedience, love, truth, the Holy Spirit, and the witness within.
To learn how you can be born again and begin to exhibit these birthmarks, please click here for the Bible Way to Heaven.
To read more of the book of 1 John for yourself, please click here.