5. REJECT THE WORLD

Another important test for us to consider in this matter of whether we are true believers in Jesus Christ is given to us in 1 John 2:15-17, and that is: Do you reject the world?

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Another verse in conjunction with this is 1 John 4:4:
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

When John speaks here of "the world," he also tells us in 1 John 5:19 that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. Second Corinthians 4:4 tells us that Satan is the god of this world.

This "world"-the Greek word is cosmos-speaks of a system encompassing false religion, human pride, errant philosophy, crime, immorality, materialism, and things of this nature. These are the things that are called the "world." The "world" is a system, just like we talk about "the world of politics," or "the world of sports," or "the world of economics." The "world" means a system, and it is the system that is on this earth that encompasses all of these things. When you become a believer, the Bible tells us these things repel you; they do not attract you.

In Romans 7:15, Paul said when he was involved in sin after his conversion, "... but what I hate, that do I." Sometimes all of us as believers are lured into worldly things, but if we are a true believer it is not what we love. We do not love this world; the world is something that we hate.

In John 17 (which contains Jesus' high priestly prayer), verses fourteen through sixteen say:
"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

You and I are vulnerable to being devoured by this world's evil system, but in 1 John 5:4-5, we read that the true believer overcomes this world through his faith in Christ.

As one writer has said, you are either an overcomer or you are overcome by this world.

Another writer has said this:
"Do you reject the world? Do you reject its false religions, damning ideologies, godless living, and vain pursuits ? Instead, do you love God, His truth. His Kingdom, and all that He stands for? That doesn't come naturally to any man or woman because the human tendency is to love darkness rather than light to mask evil deeds. Unbelievers are of their father the devil, and want to do the desires of their father. If you reject the world and its devilish desires, that is an indication of new life in Christ."

6. WAITING FOR CHRIST

The sixth test that John sets forth is: Do you eagerly anticipate Christ's return? In 1 John 3:2-3, we read these words:
"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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

The true Christian has hope in his heart, and the only hope is the return of Jesus Christ. In the midst of a groaning creation, you and I are looking in anticipation for the coming of Jesus Christ. In Romans 8, we read that the entire creation groans in anticipation of the glorious manifestation of the children of God. This involves three things according to 1 John 3:2-3: Christ appears, we see Him, and we instantly are made like Him.

Philippians 3:20-21 says, "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Titus 2:13 tells us to be "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:"

Do you long to be delivered from this body of sin? If you have such holy longings and affections, then this is an important test that you have passed: looking for the coming of Jesus Christ.

7. DECREASING PATTERN OF SIN

Another important test that is throughout 1 John is this test: Is there a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? First John 3:4- 9 says this:
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

Once again this test is plain as can be. The key here is the word "patterns." Unbroken patterns of sin are characteristic of the unbeliever. Let us look back for a moment at 2 Corinthians 13:5. Remember the passage where Paul told them to examine themselves, to prove themselves, to know whether Christ was in them? Why is he telling the Corinthians to test and examine themselves in these verses? The reason is the lack of change in their lives, because of the unbroken patterns of sin in the lives of the people at the church in Corinth. They were a people who were given to all types of immoral, filthy, degenerate behavior, so Paul is telling them: "You'd better test yourselves and examine yourselves to make sure you're in the faith, because I haven't seen this decreasing pattern of sin in your life."

We need to make it clear that a believer can still sin, and can still sin frequently, but a true believer will not habitually practice sin as a pattern of life. A pattern of sin signals union with the devil. Remember in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus said to those people who say, "Lord, Lord," didn't we cast out demons in your name, didn't we heal the sick, didn't we do all these things? Remember what Jesus said to them: "depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

A pattern of sin signals union with the devil, not with Christ. According to 1 John 3:10, the difference between a child of God and the devil is obvious. If you practice righteousness as the habitual pattern of your life, you are of God. If you do not, then you are not. This passage is crystal clear. First John 3:10 says this:
"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. ..."

So it is going to be obvious . . .
"... whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

Words could not be clearer, friend. If there is not a decreasing pattern of sin in your life, you have failed the test.

8. REJECTION

The next test is in 1 John 3:13. Do you suffer rejection because of your faith in Jesus Christ?

"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you."

In this passage, John goes on to talk about how Cain slew Abel because he (Cain) was wicked. Acts 14:22 says it is by many tribulations that we will enter into the kingdom of God. Second Timothy 3:12 says:
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

The true believer is Satan's enemy and will face persecution by demonic powers and by those who are under Satan's sway; that is, unbelievers. We may not be persecuted like people are in different countries of the world. It will be emotional, physical, verbal-there will be many forms it may take-but we will be persecuted if we are a true believer in Jesus Christ. All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.