We will start the first letter of John on Sunday.  He wrote three letters and a Gospel.  This first letter is the standard for Christians on where they stand with God.  The other two letters are short personal notes of encouragement.  One to a woman and her children, another to a man who is working in a church. 

Depending on the translation used, he uses the word “Love” 52 times.  And the word “Abide” 25 times.   The word “If” appears 14 times.  That word compares one side of the issue of whether you are a Christian with the other side--that you aren’t.  

He leaves no doubt about how you can know you are a Christian.  There are definite signs in your life that are impossible to cover up. When God enters your life, you will be unable to hide it.  You will be changed into a new kind of person. 

The prerequisite to God taking up habitation within you is total surrender to Him. The purpose of Jesus taking on your sin and being your sacrifice for your sins, is to put his Spirit into your soul and change the way you live life.  John clearly explains this in his letter to the churches.  Over and over again he says you can know.  Absolutely know for a fact that you have salvation.  We Christians call it new life.