On what should a person base his or her belief that they have been saved and are genuinely children of God?  There are many answers that have been given in response to this question over the ages.  In this letter the Apostle John addresses this question and gives us several tests that distinguish those who are truly saved from those who are not.  Understanding the substance of this letter equips a believer to be able to evaluate his or her life on the basis of the same principles as God, so that one can know the truth about one’s standing before God.  Further, since we read about the characteristics that define genuine Christianity, we are given clear instructions about the sort of life that pleases God, which in turn equips us to understand the goals God has for us as we grow spiritually to become more and more like Christ as God’s redeemed children.

I John 1:1-3

The Eyewitness Account

I John 1:3-4

Fellowship & Joy

I John 1:5-7

Living in the Light

I John 1:8-10

Confession of Sin

I John 2:1

Jesus, our Advocate with the Father

I John 2:2

Jesus, the Propitiation for our Sins

1 John 2:3-6

The Perfecting of the Love of God

1 John 2:7-11

The Shining of the True Light

1 John 2:12-13

To the Little Children

1 John 2:13-14a

To the Fathers

1 John 2:13-14b

To the Young Men

1 John 2:15a

An Apostolic Command

1 John 2:15b

Reason for the Command

1 John 2:16-17

Content of the World

1 John 2:18

Perspective of the Believer

1 John 2:19

Perseverance of the Saints

1 John 2:20-21

Possession of a Believer

1 John 2:22-23

Particularism of a Believer

1 John 2:24-25

Exhortation to Persevere

1 John 2:26-27

Resource that Enables us to Persevere

1 John 2:28-29

Reward for those who Persevere

1 John 3:1

Greatness of our Calling

1 John 3:2

Present and Future Salvation

1 John 3:3

Cleansing Hope

1 John 3:4, 8a

Nature of Sin

1 John 3:5, 8b

Christ's Purpose in coming to Earth

1 John 3:6, 9-10

Defining Characteristic of Believers

1 John 3:11-18

Test of Love

1 John 3:19-24

Finding Assurance

1 John 4:1-3

Test of Genuineness

1 John 4:4-6

Understanding Spiritual Realities

1 John 4:7-8

Source of Love

1 John 4:9-10

Manifestation of Love

1 John 4:11-12

Consummation of Love

1 John 4:13

The Meaning of "Abiding"

1 John 4:13-16

Evidences of Abiding

1 John 4:17

That We Have Confidence

1 John 4:18

The Opposite of Confidence

1 John 4:19

The Source of Confidence

1 John 4:20-5:1

Consistent in Love

1 John 5:2-3

Capable of Obedience

1 John 5:4-5

Victorious in Conflict

1 John 5:7

(Textual Note for proper interpretation)

1 John 5:6-9

The Divine Testimony

1 John 5:10-13

That We Might Know

1 John 5:14-15

Confidence in Prayer

1 John 5:16-17

Intercessory Prayer

1 John 5:18-21

Matters of Indentity