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Aug 26, 2023 06:00am

Know That You Know

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As a young child, I was given math exams to test my knowledge of the subject. Before I was handed a driver’s license, I had to pass a written and road test to make sure I could handle driving. When applying for a job, I took a typing test to check my speed and accuracy. As a young wife a pregnancy test confirmed I was expecting a child. Tests are a vital part of life that give evidence, proof, and confirmation.

Taking a math test didn’t make me skilled in math. A driving test didn’t make me a good driver. A typing test didn’t make me proficient, nor did a pregnancy test make me pregnant.

These tests only confirmed the truth.

We live in a society where truth often offends. People falsely believe that truth is as relative as one’s opinion. But truth is absolute and tests that confirm truth are imperative in this confusing world.

Did you know that there is one test that is more important than all the others? The Apostle Paul tells the church of Corinth to, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5.

What? Are we to test our salvation? Some would say we should never doubt or question our salvation, but the Bible says otherwise. We are to put our faith to the test. Just saying you’re a Christian or that you believe in God is not enough. (See Matthew 7:21 and James 2:19.)

When writing his gospel, the Apostle John makes its purpose clear. “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31.

John’s gospel is an evangelistic book, written so people will believe in Christ and have eternal life. When John writes the Epistle of 1 John, he has a different purpose. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13. First John is written to believers so they may have assurance. It’s a self-examination test of faith.

What is assurance worth to you? Have you ever doubted your salvation? Is eternal life something you want to have reservations about? You can know that you know, without a shadow of doubt. “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 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 2:3-6

The word know in this passage is the Greek word ginosko. It means more than having knowledge. It is experiential knowledge. For example, I can know that cancer is a terrible disease. However, the person who has experienced cancer, gone through the pain, chemo, treatments, and surgery has a different, deeper knowledge of cancer.

Likewise, I can know (have a deep knowledge, based on experience) that I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior if I keep His commandments. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” John 14:15. Does this mean we will live a life of sinless perfection? Unfortunately, no. Until glorified, the child of God continues to sin. But it does mean we will strive. The word for keep means to watch, guard, or keep safe, as we would keep a precious treasure. For the true believer, God’s commandments are precious. We will strive to guard them. We will fail but that is not our heart’s intent. “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,” 1 John 5:3.

Why should everyone test their salvation? We know that a test cannot save. (We are saved by grace alone through faith alone.) However, a test can bring assurance and reveal the truth. Have you examined yourself? Have you put your faith to the test? Open the Word of God, learn of Christ, walk as He walked, and keep His commandments. Know that you know…then you can sing with the song writer, “Blessed Assurance. Jesus is mine!”