Confidence in Christ Fuels Obedience & Love
FOCUS TEXT: 1 John 2:1-11
BIG IDEA: Confidence in Christ Fuels Obedience & Love
This past Sunday, we continued our series, KNOW. You Can Be Sure. Last week, we asked the foundational question: Do you know for certain that you belong to Christ? John made it clear—those who walk in the light, rejecting darkness, can have confidence in their salvation. But this leads to another struggle many believers face:
What about when I fail?
I love Jesus, but I still struggle with sin—does that mean I’m not truly saved?
How can I have confidence in my faith when I still stumble?
John anticipated these questions, which is why he wrote this letter—to assure those who are in Christ, not to give false confidence to those merely going through the motions.
Confidence in Christ Leads Us to Run to Him, Not from Him — John begins with a tender encouragement: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The goal is holiness, but the reality is, we will stumble. Yet instead of running from God in shame, we are called to run to Jesus—our Advocate who stands before the Father on our behalf. Jesus doesn’t minimize our sin, but He has already paid for it. John goes further: “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all who believe. There is no sin too great that His grace cannot cover.
Confidence in Christ is Displayed Through Obedience — Assurance is not just about a past decision—it’s about a transformed life. John writes: “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” Obedience is the fruit of knowing Jesus—not a means to earn salvation, but evidence of a real relationship with Him. John makes a bold statement: “Whoever says ‘I know Him’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar.” True faith is not passive. Those who abide in Christ will grow in obedience, walking as Jesus walked.
Confidence in Christ is Revealed in Our Love for Others — John connects faith with love: “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.” You cannot claim to walk in the light while harboring bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness. Love is the defining mark of a true disciple. Jesus said: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – If we struggle to love, the answer is not to try harder—it’s to abide in Christ. The more we experience His love, the more we will love others.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
• When I sin, do I run to Jesus or away from Him?
• Is my obedience fueled by love for Christ, or am I just going through the motions?
• Do I love others the way Jesus has loved me?
PRAYER RESPONSE: “Lord, thank You for being my Advocate. Help me run to You when I fail, not away. Shape my heart to desire obedience, and fill me with Your love so that I may love others as You have loved me. Amen.”
MEMORY VERSE: “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” – 1 John 2:6
