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This morning we’re in Week 3 of a series I’m calling “Test Yourself,” where I’m challenging you to, in the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-- unless, of course, you fail the test?

My deepest desire for all of you is that you would be saved, that you would know God, that you would have eternal life.  I also know that not everyone who claims to know God or have eternal life or be a Christian really is.  Consider James’ words that even the demons believe in God.  Or Jesus’ words that not everyone who says to him “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven.  Just because someone says they believe or has done great things for God does not mean that they actually know God or have saving faith.  And that is why we are looking at 1 John, because John states his purpose in 1 John 5:13 when he says ‘I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.’  He writes the letter to those who claim to be Christians, so that they might know whether or not they have eternal life, whether or not they really know God.  And that is my hope, that as we meditate on this series, that you will know whether or not you have eternal life.

So far we have looked at most of the first two chapters of 1 John, and been through three tests.  The first test was this:  does your lifestyle reflect the will and character of God?  The second test was this:  are you sensitive to sin in your life?  And the third test was this:  what is your motivation?