We Know Life

1 John 3:13-15 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
 
THIS is the first of four lessons that focus on John’s affirmation, “We know”, a statement he writes 18 times in this letter. Here’s the first: We know we have passed from death to life.
   How do we know this? To pass to life, we need to first know we were born dead in transgression (Ephesians 2:5b) When we know our sins, we know we need a new life. Jesus told the Pharisee Nicodemus the Holy Spirit will cause this new birth: “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:5-6)
   You know the Spirit has birthed you into new life when you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
   If the world hates you, you will know this confession is real. When you faithfully follow Jesus’ teachings, you will know separation from those who reject your Lord. Friends and family will generally distance themselves from you. They will be opposed to the ways you speak of Jesus and reject worldly activities. And we know there are many in the culture who express a great hatred toward the church. Christian-owned businesses are sued for rejecting service to ungodly purposes. Throughout the world, Christians are hated by family, neighbors and governments. They are persecuted in all forms of abuse, even to the death.
   A third way we know that we have passed from death to life, is because we love our brothers. John always returns to love as the fundamental truth of our salvation. There is no option because Jesus said there is no option. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) John draws a sharp line of judgment upon the unloving. Anyone who does not love remains in death. We cannot pass to life if we live ruled by unforgiveness, jealousy, anger, pride or covetousness. The evidence of your confession is judged by the way you live.
   You know you have passed from death to life when 1) you realize you are born dead in your sin 2) you confess your sins 3) you confess Jesus’ resurrection 4) the world hates you and 5) you love one another.
   Is this your life?