Sermon Preview for Sunday, October 25, 2026: Proof of Life

Sermon Preview

For Sunday, October 25, 2026

Proof of Life

1 John 2:1–6

What evidence should we expect to find in the life of someone who professes to know Jesus Christ? Is a verbal declaration of faith sufficient, or does the Gospel produce something that can be observed in the way a person lives? These are questions of tremendous importance, and they are at the heart of the apostle John’s teaching in this week’s passage.

In 1 John 2:1–6, the apostle explains that genuine fellowship with Christ necessarily produces a transformed life. He begins with the wonderful assurance that when believers sin, they have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Our Savior has satisfied the demands of God’s justice through His atoning sacrifice, and His redemptive work extends far beyond the boundaries of any one people or nation. The Gospel is God’s powerful instrument for transforming fallen humanity, and its influence cannot be confined or ultimately defeated. The saving work of Christ not only reconciles sinners to God but also produces a new way of living.

John then confronts us with an unmistakable test of genuine faith: obedience to God’s commandments. The person who claims to know Christ while remaining indifferent to His commands contradicts his own profession. On the other hand, those who truly belong to Christ demonstrate their love for God through an increasing commitment to holiness. This obedience is never the means by which we earn salvation. Rather, it is the necessary fruit of the new life we have received through God’s grace. As John declares, the one who professes to abide in Christ must also walk as Christ walked.

This Sunday, we will consider what John teaches about the relationship between our profession of faith and the evidence of spiritual life. We will also examine the importance of honest self-examination, the encouragement and correction we receive through Christian fellowship, and the indispensable ministry of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification. John’s teaching is both challenging and deeply reassuring. Although we are called to follow the perfect example of our Savior, we do not pursue holiness in our own strength. The same Lord who redeemed us has given us His Spirit to guide, correct, strengthen, and sustain us.

The central question before us is simple but searching: If we claim to know Jesus Christ, does the way we live provide evidence that our profession is genuine?

Additional thoughts:

“We cannot know him as Lord and Father, as he shews himself, without being dutiful children and obedient servants.”John Calvin

Calvin argues that knowledge of God precedes obedience as cause precedes effect. Obedience does not produce saving knowledge; saving knowledge produces obedience.

“True faith can no more be without true holiness than true fire without heat.” John Owen

Owen’s analogy illustrates the inseparable relationship between regeneration and sanctification. Where saving faith exists, holiness necessarily follows.

“These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith.” Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XVI, Section 2.

The Confession cites 1 John 2:3 and 2:5 among the Scripture proofs for this section.