Just as physical birthmarks or inherited family traits provide evidence of our physical lineage, spiritual “birthmarks” offer Christians complete assurance of their place in God’s family. Pastor Kevin explores 1 John 5:1-5 referencing three foundational markers of a true Christian that John teaches: Believing in Jesus, Obeying His Commandments, and Receiving The Victory. These marks provide assurance that salvation is secure in Christ.
Believe in Jesus
Belief in Jesus is the first mark of someone who belongs to God. The primary evidence of being born into God’s family is personal, heart-level faith in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God
To be born of God means more than simply knowing facts about Jesus (1 John 5:1).
Satan and his demons know Jesus is real, but they do not love Him, follow Him, or belong to Him (James 2:19).
True belief goes beyond acknowledging facts; it transforms the heart, compelling a believer to love both the Father and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Obey His Commandments
The second mark of a believer is obedience (1 John 5:3). Obedience to God’s Word is not an oppressive requirement; it is a spiritual birthmark that reflects our love for Him.
God’s commandments are not meant to steal joy or make life miserable. They are given for our good, our safety, and our protection. Just as rules in a home help keep a family healthy and safe, God’s commandments guide His people toward what is right.
Pastor Kevin points to Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments. The first commands deal directly with our relationship with God: have no other gods, do not make idols, and do not take the Lord’s name in vain. God knows we were created to worship, and if we do not worship Him, we will worship something else.
Other commandments teach us how to live with others: honor your father and mother, do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, and do not covet. These commands are not burdens. They are boundaries that help us live the way God intended.
Obedience is not simply something we have to do. It is something we get to do because we love God.
God is the Orchestrator of Love
Because God loved us, we are called to love one another. Love takes work and there are times where is it easier to quote, hold a grudge, or walk away. But God fights for love (1 John 4:11). He gave His very best through Jesus Christ, and now He calls His people to reflect that same love.
No one has ever seen God, but when believers love one another, God abides in them and His love is perfected in them. Our love becomes a testimony that God is at work in our lives (1 John 4:12).
We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). If someone claims to love God but hates his brother, John says that person is a liar. Love for God must show up in love for others.
Receive the Victory
The third mark is victory. Believers do not have to live in fear or spiritual defeat. Jesus conquered sin, death, and the grave. His resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. Because He lives, those who believe in Him can overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5)
The Five Faith Tests
John gives several tests in 1 John to help believers recognize the spiritual birthmarks of a true Christian. These tests are meant to bring assurance, not fear.
1) The Faith Test. Do You Believe Jesus is the Christ? Do we believe He is the Son of God? Is our doctrine in line with the Word of God?
2) The Life Test. How we live. Do we keep God’s commandments? Do our actions show Christ to others? Believers will still make mistakes. Some days we fail and need to start fresh. But a Christian life should show a desire to follow God and obey His Word.
3) The Love Test. Do you love our brothers and sisters in Christ. If Christ loves them and died for them, then we should love them too. Harboring hatred toward another believer does not match the heart of Christ. Love is one of the marks of someone who belongs to God.
4) The Growth Test. Are you growing in Christ. Are we overcoming more and more as we walk with the Lord? The Christian life should involve growth. God gives us His Word and His Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, and help us overcome challenges.
5) The Sin Test. How we respond to sin. Do we avoid sin, or do we continue in sin and call it acceptable? When a believer sins, the Holy Spirit brings conviction. Sin should bother us. We cannot take what God calls sin and decide it is acceptable. A true believer should desire repentance, obedience, and a life that honors God.
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