Sadly, there are almost as many definitions of what it is to be a Christian as there are denominations in Christianity. At one end of the spectrum, many believe that simply because they have “given their hearts to the Lord” they are true, saved Christians. At the other end of the spectrum, many sincere believers see the faults and failures in their own lives – perhaps even after many years of trying to walk in the Way – and wonder “Am I really living as a true disciple of Jesus Christ?” Thankfully, the New Testament gives us three clear tests by which we can tell if we really are a Christian and walking in God’s way of life. Those tests are found in the first epistle of the apostle John.
The first test John gives us has to do with our beliefs: “I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ” (1 John 2: 21). Notice that John stresses that true Christians – those to whom he is writing – walk in the truth (something John mentions in all his epistles – 2 John 1:1–4; 3 John 1:3–4; etc.). But notice also that John is not talking about having perfect doctrinal understanding. That may be a goal God helps us grow toward, but it is not the present reality that we must already have. Truly essential belief, John tells us, is simply that Jesus is the Christ – in other words, belief that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, the Messiah the Bible promised, and the One who has saved us from our sins. This first test is actually a very simple one that requires no theological training or years of biblical study. If we believe that Jesus is indeed the Christ, we have passed the first test!
The second test John gives us relates to our actions: “But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:5–6). In case we have any doubt, John clarifies what this means: “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them” (1 John 3:24, emphasis added here and below). While our actions include all we say and do, John does not imply that we must have constant perfection in our behavior. He makes it clear that spiritually we all fall down occasionally (1 John 1:8), but that as Christians we do not ignore God’s commands, but repent and are forgiven when we do fall down (1 John 1:9), and are constantly trying to obey God with his help (1 John 2:1). This may seem like a harder test to pass than the first one, but in reality, it simply means we are sincerely and truly doing our best to obey and walk with God.
The third and final test John gives us is one of attitude: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death” (1 John 3:14). This is a separate test from that regarding our actions because it is perfectly possible to do actions (for example, giving to charity) that seem loving, but which are not based on real love in one’s heart and mind. We may do good deeds simply to win the approval of others, but truly loving others is very different. In some ways, this may seem like an easy test to pass – and usually it is – but we should always be ready to analyze our own motives, if necessary, that our deeds are based in truly loving attitudes.
Passing all of these tests is necessary to be a true disciple of Jesus. We must have right belief, actions, and attitudes. John not only mentions the three tests individually, but also often groups two of them together, as when he writes “Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister” (1 John 3:10), or “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments” (1 John 5:2).
John also summarizes all three of the tests in several powerful verses. For example: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him” (1 John 3:18-19 ESV). Likewise, John tells us “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands … And his commands are not burdensome … Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:1–5).
In these verses, and others, John stresses that the truth of our belief, our continued effort to do what is right, and our attitude of love are all necessary – but he also stresses the good news that doing these things is not really burdensome or difficult, that these conditions can be present in our lives, and that through them we can we reassured of the genuineness of our life in God (1 John 3:19).
Naturally, as Christians, we understand that these “tests” are not a means to salvation – we do not do these things in order to earn God’s forgiveness or gift of eternal life – they are rather the evidence that we are saved by him. John’s letters to true Christians do not say “if you do these things,” but “we know that we have passed from death to life because” we do them. The good news is that through God’s love, those who truly seek to walk with him are not repeatedly failing, but continually passing the tests John gives.
