t--not the same in degree, but
the same in kind. If I am meek, gentle, and forgiving; if I have a
spirit filled with peace and joy; if I am long-suffering and gentle,
like the Son of God--that is a test: and in that way we are to tell
whether we have eternal life or not.

The fifth thing worth knowing, and the best of all, is "Beloved,
_now_." Notice the word "Now." It does not say when you come to die.
"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" (v. 2).

But some will say, "Well, I believe all that; but then I have sinned
since I became a Christian." Is there a man or a woman on the face of
the earth who has not sinned since becoming a Christian? Not one!
There never has been, and never will be, a soul on this earth who has
not sinned, or who will not sin, at some time of their Christian
experience. But God has made provision for believers' sins. _We_ are
not to make provision for them; but God has. Bear that in mind.

Turn to 1 John ii. 1: "My little children, these things write I unto
you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." He is here writing to the
righteous. "If any man sin, _we_"--John put himself in--"we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." What an
Advocate! He attends to our interests at the very best place--the
throne of God. He said, "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is
expedient for you that I go away" (John xvi. 7). He went away to
become our High Priest, and also our Advocate. He has had some hard
cases to plead; but he has never lost one: and if you entrust your
immortal interests to Him, He will "present you faultless before the
presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).

The past sins of Christians are all forgiven as soon as they are
confessed; and they are never to be mentioned. That is a question
which is not to be opened up again. If our sins have been put away,
that is the end of them. They are not to be remembered; and God will
not mention them any more. This is very plain. Suppose I have a son
who, while I am from home, does wrong. When I go home he throws his
arms around my neck and says, "Papa, I did what you told me not to
do. I am very sorry. Do forgive me." I say: "Yes, my son," and kiss
him. He wipes away his tears, and goes off rejoicing.

But