Of all the grounds of assurance the role of good works is most tricky because we’re only dealing with people still in progress, whose faith fluctuates, and whose obedience is only ever imperfect. But 1 John 5: 1-5 is written to help those who believe in Jesus to know that they have eternal life. John helps us to understand that real faith expresses itself in a love characterised by obedience. But the victory that overcomes the world is not our love or obedience, it's our faith. It's only those who have received Jesus with the empty hands of faith and been given his righteousness and perfection that overcome the world.
