What It Means to Be Saved

 This is the 9th sermon in a series of messages through the New Testament book of First John. This sermon is based on 1 John 5:1-5 where the Apostle John speaks about three different evidences of conversion or saving faith. The video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was preached can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Most of you know that I have been doing a series of messages on the NT book of First John. We’ve completed 8 sermons so far, and I think we have 2 or maybe 3 more to go, counting today’s sermon. 

I want to begin by sharing a couple of interesting circumstances leading up to the last two Sundays. Prior to last Sunday, I was thinking I might depart from this series in order to speak specifically about communion, but I discovered that the next section we were ready to discuss in chapter 4 fit very nicely with the theme of communion as we talked about the love of God. This week I again pondered the possibility of departing from First John to preach on a subject that would relate to our baptismal service this afternoon. Again, I was pleased to discover that this first paragraph of chapter 5 goes along very well with baptism because the Apostle John is discussing what Dr. Vic Reasoner calls, “The marks of genuine conversion.” So, that confirms in my mind that our messages and our special observances of our faith (communion and baptism) have all been guided by the Holy Spirit.

The title of the sermon today implies a rather broad topic because there are many themes that could be included in a discussion about what it means to be saved. However, we will be limiting our thoughts to the specific themes John touches on here in the first five verses of chapter 5.

In the Tyndale NT Commentary, John Stott reminds us that John has repeatedly presented three tests for those professing to be Christians. In chapter 2 he describes all three tests in order, obedience (3-6), love (7-11) and belief (18-27). In chapter 3 he treats only obedience (2:28-3:10) and love (11-18), while in chapter 4 only belief (1-6) and love (7-12)… Now, however, in the brief opening paragraph of chapter 5, we meet the three together again. The words ‘believe’ and ‘faith’ occur in verses 1, 4 and 5, [the word] ‘love’ [occurs] in verses 1, 2 and 3, and the need to obey or carry out ‘his commands’ [shows up] in verses 2 and 3.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I want to speak to you today from verses 1-5 of First John chapter 5 concerning “what it means to be saved.”

I.       Being saved means we genuinely believe certain truths. (vv. 1, 4, & 5)

The reason I said we must “genuinely” believe certain truths is because there is a difference between simple intellectual agreement with some idea vs. being so convinced about the validity of it that I’m willing to act upon it, stake my life on it, make it the ruling principle of my life.

As I stated earlier, the words “believe” and “faith” occur three times – verses 1, 4, and 5.

The Bible clearly tells us that we are “saved by grace through faith.” (Eph. 2:8)

 Faith is an unwavering confidence in the reality of truths we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.)

A. We believe the truth about Jesus. (v. 1a, 5)

1 John 5:1a, 5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God… Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

We believe that the man Jesus is Christ the Messiah.

·         As a man He was perfect; compassionate; and compelling.

·         As Christ/Messiah He was divine, redeemer; and miracle worker.

When we believe, we experience new birth. We believe Jesus is Who He said He was; and Who the Bible says He is – God in the flesh. We believe that He did what He said He would do – shed His blood for the sins of the whole world.

B. We believe the truth about the world. (vv. 4-5)

1 John 5:4-5 (KJV) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ⁵ Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

This truth points back to chapters 2 & 3 where John clearly links “the world” with the problem of sin. The false teachers that John was opposing believed it wasn’t possible to be free from sin because we are “in the world” and of the world. However, John makes it clear that whoever sins is of the devil. Now, he addresses the same issue but using the term “world” rather than sin. But the point is the same – the world represents all that is opposed to the will of God and righteousness.

He already affirmed:

1 John 2:15-16 ^(NKJV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

So, believing / faith involves knowing what to believe about the world. The desires, values, and morals of this world will always be contrary to God’s desires, values, and morals.

We cannot serve two masters!

C. We believe the truth about victory. (vv. 4-5)

But that is not all John has to say about the world. In these same verses, he is specifically teaching that we can and should be victorious over the world. The false teachers didn’t believe it was possible to live without sin. In fact, they apparently celebrated the fact of sin being in their lives, since they believed all matter was evil – only spirit could be holy or righteous.

John is boldly proclaiming that being born of God and believing in Jesus as the divine Son of God makes it possible to live victoriously over the world. We should never allow ourselves to buy into the idea that it just isn’t possible to be victorious over sin and the world. 

II.     Being saved means we sincerely love God and others. (vv. 1b, 2)

1 John 5:1-2 (KJV) Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

The words, “born of God;" "begat" (begot); and "begotten” – all derive from the same Greek word.

When we are born of God, there is a love for God that is born in us that we’ve never known before. When we are born of God, we not only love God, but we also love the one who is “begotten of Him.” Because of John’s repeated argument about Jesus being the Son of God and being the Christ, it is somewhat natural to think of the phrase “begotten of Him” as referring to Jesus. For example Jn. 3:16 speaks of God giving his "only begotten Son."

However, most commentary authors believe that the phrase ties with the previous use of the word “born.” (Born of God) Therefore, it is probably speaking of others who are similarly born of God – our spiritual brothers and sisters. Being saved means we have been placed in a great big family of God’s children.

Just like faith and believing, love is another theme that John has repeatedly emphasized in this letter. Apparently, the lack of love was a real problem among those recipients of the letter. This has always been a typical problem when false teaching is present in Christian circles. Those teaching the errors can be prone to unkindness, and those defending the truth can also become unkind and disparaging.

We have already stated in previous messages, love is an action word. The kind of love the Bible is talking about is not some emotion and it is not just kind words. It certainly includes emotion and kind words, but it is far more than that. Does anyone get the impression I truly love God by watching my life? Your life? Is there evidence in my daily life that I love God? When people watch my life, do they learn that I love people?

John is clearly advocating for a life that portrays love for God and for others. This is the same message he gave in chapter four.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

III.    Being saved means we carefully obey God’s commands. (v. 3)

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

For the Apostle John, love and obedience cannot be separated. Jesus Himself emphasized the need to show love by obedience.

John 14:15 (NKJV)  "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

But, He also emphasized the fact that loving Him wasn’t about carrying around “heavy burdens,” but it was learning that his “yoke is easy” and his “burden is light.”

Matthew 23:4 (NKJV)  For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Matthew 11:30 (NKJV)  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

So many times I’ve heard and seen those who refuse to follow Christ because “He requires too much,” but the cost of rejecting Him turns out to be far greater than what it would have been.

Jesus’ yoke and burden is light – mainly because of His power and grace that is provided to help us each and every day.

Conclusion:

We’ve been talking about what it means to be saved.

When we turn away from our sins and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, then we are born of God; born again.

Paul says in 2 Cor. 5:17 – Therefore, if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away and behold all things are become new.

Luke 10:20 ^(NKJV) Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

It is a blessed privilege to know that our names are written in the book of Life!

Our closing song today is a testimony song about God saving us from our life of unbelief and rebellion and making us His children and putting our names in the book of life.

A New Name in Glory