Assurance is Found in Jesus Christ, and Those Who Truly Know Him Walk in the Light
FOCUS TEXT: 1 John 1:1-10
This past Sunday, we launched our new series, “KNOW. You Can Be Sure.” In a world of uncertainty, many struggle with doubt—Am I truly saved? How can I know for sure? Others assume they are secure because of past religious experiences, yet their lives show no transformation. John wrote 1 John to give believers assurance—not based on emotions or past decisions but on an ongoing relationship with Jesus that produces obedience, love, and holiness. He states his purpose clearly: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” – 1 John 5:13. So where does real assurance begin? It starts with Jesus Himself.
True Fellowship with God is Rooted in the Real, Historical Jesus — John begins his letter with a powerful claim—he saw, heard, and touched Jesus. He’s not giving secondhand information; he’s testifying to the real, living Christ. 1 John 1:1 says: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes… concerning the word of life…” False teachers were distorting the truth about Jesus, but John pushes back: Jesus was fully God and fully man. If we get Jesus wrong, we get everything wrong. True fellowship with God is only possible through the real, biblical Jesus—not a cultural version or secondhand faith.
Walking in Darkness Proves False Faith, but Walking in the Light Proves True Fellowship — John draws a bold contrast between light and darkness. 1 John 1:6 says: “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” Walking in the light means living in truth, holiness, repentance, and community. Walking in darkness means habitually living in sin, resisting conviction, and avoiding accountability. True believers stumble, but they don’t stay in the dark—they bring their sin into the light. And when we do: We have fellowship with one another – Sin isolates, but Christ restores; and The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin – No sin is too great for His grace. If you’ve been hiding in darkness, step into the light.
Confession and Repentance Bring Assurance and Cleansing — John warns against two dangerous lies: 1) Denial – Saying, “I have no sin” (self-righteousness); and 2) Despair – Thinking, “My sin is too great to be forgiven” (hopelessness). But here’s the promise from verse 9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us… and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession isn’t about trying harder—it’s about bringing our sin into the light. And God’s response? He forgives. He cleanses. He restores.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Do I know the real Jesus, or just a version of Him?
Am I walking in the light, or am I clinging to darkness?
Have I embraced confession and the assurance of His cleansing?
PRAYER RESPONSE: “Lord, I want to walk in Your light. Help me turn from darkness, confess my sin, and trust in Your faithful forgiveness. Give me real assurance, rooted in Jesus, not in my efforts. Draw me into true fellowship with You and Your people. Amen.”
MEMORY VERSE: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
