INTRO: Notice the emphasis in the epistle of First John upon knowing. There are eighteen tests for the assurance of salvation presented in the First Epistle of John.

A. I know that I am saved through my obedience, 2:3-5.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God prefected: hereby know we that we are in him.

B. I know that I am saved by walking in the light, 2:10-11.

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

C. I know that I am saved by my knowledge of God, 2:13-14.

... I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

D. I know that I am saved when I can recognize antichrists, 2:18.

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

E. I know that I am saved by the anointing with the truth, 2:20-21.

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

F. I know that I am saved by my doing righteousness, 2:29.

If ye know that he is righteous [referring to Jesus Christ], ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

G. I know that I am saved because of our likeness to God, 3:1-2.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

H. I know that I am saved because of the atonement, 3:5-6.

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins [theologically this is accomplished through the atonement]; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

I. I know that I am saved because I am transformed, 3:14.

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.

J. I know that I am saved by my love for God and the brethren, 3:15, 4:7-8; 4:16; 5:2.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God (4:7).

K. I know that I am saved through a pure, uncondemned heart, 3:19-20.

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

L. I know that I am saved through possession of the Spirit of God, 3:24; 4:13.

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

M. I know that I am saved by confession of faith, 4:2-3.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God ....

N. I know that I am saved through listening to the truth, 4:6.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.

O. I know that I am saved by possession of eternal life, 5:13.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

P. I know that I am saved through answered prayer, 5:15.

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Q. I know that I am saved by not sinning, 5:18-19.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

R. I know that I am saved through knowledge of the second coming of Christ, 5:20.

• And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.