In the first check we asked if we loved Jesus enough to fellowship with Him and other believers. In the second check, we asked if we LOVED other believers. In the third we asked, if loved enough we to be obedient to His commandments. So all three were about love. The fourth is no different, but in fact ties them all together with love.
The question is do we believe the basic doctrines of the faith?
1 ¶ Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. {is born: Gr. has been born}
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Look at these verses in the 5th chapter of the Book of Love. See how they tie all the others together. We love God: We love other believers: We keep His commandments.
Remember that Christianity is a FAITH based religion, therefore when we speak of basics, how basic is faith!
Do we believe that it is BY GRACE that we are saved? That is by the unmerited and undeserved favor of God?
Do we believe that it is THROUGH FAITH we are saved? That is by FAITH in Jesus Christ and His FINISHED work on the cross?
Do we believe that the very FAITH THROUGH WHICH we are saved is not even our own, but that too is a gift from God?
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
This is an example of God's love! It is by HIS Grace and HIS gift of faith to us, that we are able to be saved!
So the question, again, is: Do we believe the basic doctrines of the faith?
The question is do we believe the basic doctrines of the faith?
1 ¶ Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. {is born: Gr. has been born}
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Look at these verses in the 5th chapter of the Book of Love. See how they tie all the others together. We love God: We love other believers: We keep His commandments.
Remember that Christianity is a FAITH based religion, therefore when we speak of basics, how basic is faith!
Do we believe that it is BY GRACE that we are saved? That is by the unmerited and undeserved favor of God?
Do we believe that it is THROUGH FAITH we are saved? That is by FAITH in Jesus Christ and His FINISHED work on the cross?
Do we believe that the very FAITH THROUGH WHICH we are saved is not even our own, but that too is a gift from God?
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
This is an example of God's love! It is by HIS Grace and HIS gift of faith to us, that we are able to be saved!
So the question, again, is: Do we believe the basic doctrines of the faith?
