by Tom Wacaster
I never did like to take tests. Even in college, preparation for and the taking of tests was stressful, and I suppose college students (or for that matter, any student) feel the same today. I never enjoyed having to memorize numbers, names, and words. Like every student, I often found myself “cramming” for an important test. The study I had neglected often came back to haunt me, and the grade on my test paper would reflect the degree to which I had prepared (or neglected to prepare) the night before. I managed to get through elementary and high school with fair grades, though looking back I now realize I could have probably done a lot better; but who among us does not feel that way? While young I imagined that someday I would no longer need to memorize numbers, names and words. I have been preaching for nearly half a century and I can attest to the undeniable truth that a preacher’s life is one of—well, memorizing names, numbers and words. Little did I know that during my school years I was developing habits that would contribute to my work as a preacher of God’s word. It was in school that I learned good study habits, the value of good books, and how to relate with fellow students and professors. In retrospect, I have come to appreciate the things I learned in school, and I can also appreciate the tests I had to take from time to time.
It is interesting how much emphasis the New Testament writers place on things “written.” Consider just a few examples. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). As John was drawing his gospel to a close he told us: “Many other signs did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). Paul reminded the church at Ephesus that he had received the mystery by divine revelation, “as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:3-4). We are warned not to “go beyond the things that are written” (1 Cor. 4:6), not to “add to” or “take away from” the things that have been “written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19), and, as did our Lord, to answer every dart hurled at us by the devil with the words, “It is written” (Matt. 4:4, 7, and 10). Let us never underestimate the power of the written word.
I find it intriguing that the same apostle who closed his biography of Christ with a reference to the massive amount of material that might have been written about our Lord, also includes in his first epistle reasons for which he wrote that short letter.
First, John tells us he wrote these things “that our joy may be made full” (1 John 1:4). John attested to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection in no uncertain terms. “That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we behold, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1). The Gnostics of John’s day questioned the reality of a bodily resurrection; spirit perhaps, or even an illusion, but not a bodily, physical resurrection. John denies that false doctrine of “no resurrection,” the reason being that he, and the other apostles saw, heard and touched the Lord. The Gnostic doctrine offered no hope, provided no joy, and if there was any scintilla of these things, it certainly was not “full.” Jesus came to give us a full and abundant life (John 10:10). Such can be found only through the written word of God.
Second, John tells us, “My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin” (1 John 2:1). The preventative to sin is not an overpowering, direct operation by the Holy Spirit or any other member of the Godhead. David acknowledged this truth when he wrote, “Thy word have I laid up in my heard that I might not sin against thee” (Psa. 119:11). Our Lord and Master appealed to the “written” word for His defense against Satan. Let the wise take note that the fruit of a godless society is the result of ignorance of the word of God. Over the last half century or so educators, politicians, and the entertainment industry have expunged God from our lives, and then they wring their hands in despair and bewilderment as to why our nation is coming apart at the seams.
Third, John tells he had “written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray” (1 John 2:26). The “antichrists” had already come, and that in great number (1 John 2:18). They were ravening wolves, destroying the church from within (Matt. 7:15). John was not afraid to pinpoint the cause of apostasy, and he did so in writing so that every generation that would follow would have the means to identify and properly deal with false teachers. Too bad some of our brethren are not reading what John and the other apostles wrote regarding these “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7:15).
Finally, John tells us, “These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 4:13). Assurance is a much wanted commodity in an age of such uncertainty! If you want to know for sure whether or not you are in a saved condition, compare your life with the examples of those who are said to have been pleasing and righteous in God’s sight (Heb. 11 is a good place to start). Walk in the steps of Jesus, follow the lead of Paul, and sit at the feet of those men who laid out, in detail, what it takes to become a child of God, and what it takes to remain saved; you will be blessed for having done so.
Having examined the different ways in which John addresses what is written, we turn our attention to the “tests” contained in the epistle that can be used to determine if we are, indeed, begotten of God and living according to God’s will. There are three of these.
Test #1 is the test of obedience. The Gnostics prided themselves on their knowledge, but they were lacking in love and the practical application of the word to their lives. So John tells us, “hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). Prior to that John told us that we must “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 John 1:6). A person’s claims that he is a child of God are vain and empty if the claims are not accompanied by obedience. Do you pass the test?
Test #2 is the test of love. “He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him” (1 John 2:9-10). Genuine love—’agape’ love is the kind of love that seeks the best for a brother in Christ. This implies (and requires) interaction with fellow Christians. No man can be an island unto himself, isolated from fellow Christians, and expect to pass this test of genuine Christianity.
Test #3 is the test of believing Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Who would deny that? The Gnostics did. Here is a fundamental truth that was ignored on the part of the self-proclaimed elite. We are speaking of doctrine—divinely revealed truth that must be accepted for one to remain in fellowship with the Father and the Son. Don’t forget, one must walk in the “light” - i.e., the revealed word of God. Failure to abide in the doctrine of Christ will result in the severance of fellowship from the Father and the Son (2 John 9). There are not “big” doctrines and “little” doctrines. All doctrine is important, and the rejection of the clear teaching of God’s word manifests an attitude of disrespect toward divine authority. It bears repeating, “There is no such thing as a little false doctrine!”
By the way, the tests we take are not printed exams, nor can they be taken “on-line” in some digital classroom. These tests are live, on going, and whether or not we pass will have eternal consequences.