Saturday, October 31, 2020

Obedience to God's Word



  1 John 2:3-6 ESV

(3) And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

(4) Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

(5) but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

(6) whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

 

True believers obey God’s commandments.

 

Before Jesus ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, He gave the following Great Commission to His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

Notice that a true disciple was to observe, or obey, all of Christ’s commands.

 

The apostle John understood well the Lord’s instruction. He knew that obedience to the commands of God produces assurance the confidence of knowing for sure “that we have come to know Him” (1 John 2:3).

 

The Greek word for “keep” in that verse refers to watchful, careful, thoughtful obedience. It is not an obedience that is only the result of external pressure; it is the eager obedience of one who “keeps” the divine commandments as if they were something precious to guard. Such obedience is motivated by love, as John indicates in (1 John 2:5) “Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him.” That is supported by the word translated “commandments,” which refers specifically to the precepts of Christ rather than laws in general. Legal obedience demands perfection or penalty, while (1 John 2:3) is a call to gracious obedience because of the penalty Christ has already paid.

 

However, those who claim to know God and yet despise His commandments John calls liars: "Whoever says, “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him," (1 John 2:4). "They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work." (Titus 1:16).

 

How can you determine if you are a true Christian? Not by sentiment, but by obedience. If you desire to obey God out of gratitude for all Christ has done for you, and if you see that desire producing an overall pattern of obedience, indicating the presence of saving faith.

 

If you have found your obedience is predicated more on the act of obedience than on gratitude for God, "Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him," (1 John 2:4).

 

 

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