A Devotional Journey Through 1 John. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandment: 1 John 2:3-6

1 John 2:3-6 English Standard Version

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.

            Do we truly know Jesus Christ. John writes and by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. The word know is the Greek word ginōskō and it means know; understand. To know (experientially) — to know or have knowledge about (someone or something); normally as acquired through observation or the senses.[1] When John speaks of knowing Jesus, He speaks of encountering Him. To know Him experientially. It is not simply facts and information about who Jesus is. It is to truly know Him in a deep way. If we have truly come to know Jesus and encountered Him as our personal Lord and savior, then we will keep His commandments.

            The word keep is the Greek word tēreō and it means keep; observe. To observe (conform) — to conform one’s action or practice to.[2] If we have truly come to know Jesus it means our lives and the way we live daily are conformed to the commandments of Almighty God. When we come to know Jesus the law of God is written on our hearts. We are called to be led and guided by The Holy Spirit. In coming to know Jesus Christ a true tangible change will take place in the life of the individual.

            Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. If someone does claim to know the Lord but continues to live in rebellion and sin, it simply shows they are a liar and don’t know Him. Many today have compromised the gospel to make it more appealing to a culture that is immersed in sin and darkness. Some have abandoning biblical truth and simply spoke about Jesus being all about love and simply accepting us as we are without ever calling a person to repentance. But when we examine the life of Jesus and study the word of God, we see that the call to follow Jesus is one of being called to deny one’s self and to pick up our cross. We are called to put to death the sinful nature and to be led and guided by The Holy Spirit.

            But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. The word perfected is the Greek word teleioō and it means complete; perfect; finish. To finish — to come or bring to a finish or an end.[3] There is a supernatural work that takes place in the life of any person who truly lives by the word of God and abides in the truth of Christ. The love of God is perfected in that individual. The love of God is made complete and is brought to a maturity in the life of that person. God’s love is the highest form of love. It is not a love based on emotion or feeling. It is a love based on sacrifice and decision. A desire to see the very best in the one we love even it means at a great cost for us. The only way we can truly walk in love is if we abide in Christ and live according to His word daily. Every day we must make the decision to follow the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit and pursue Jesus Christ with everything.

            By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. How do we know that we know Jesus? We will live and walk as Jesus did. The word abide is the Greek word menō and it means remain; stay; reside. To continue — to continue a certain state, condition, or activity.[4] For true life change to take place we must remain in Jesus. We must reside with Him daily. The Holy Spirit live within us. The way He often speaks to us and communicates to us is in our mind and heart. The more we spend in prayer and God’s word, the more sensitive we will become to His voice and His leading.

            Jesus said that we will not only do the same things He has done, but greater things. This is only possible as we are led and guided by The Holy Spirit. When Jesus came to the earth, He fully became man. He never stopped being God, but He fully became man and did everything as a man. He did not begin His earthly ministry until He was baptized by John and The Spirit of God descended and remained on Him. Everything Jesus did was made possible by the work and person of The Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit that led and empowered Jesus, is The same Holy Spirit who lives within you and I. May we abide in Christ. May we walk in the same way that Jesus walked. May our focus and aim simply be to bring Jesus Christ glory in all things.

Prayer

Father thank you for saving me. Thank you for your love and your grace. Thank you for the work and leading of The Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit fill me today. Lead and guide me in all things. Help me to recognize your voice. Jesus may I continually abide in you. May I walk as you walked. May you remove anything from my life that would hinder your work. May you be glorified in all things. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

Reflection Question: Are you abiding in Christ daily? Are there any areas in your life that need to change and be surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Have you come to know and discern the voice and leading of The Holy Spirit? If you are struggle with this today, I encourage you to pray daily to ask The Holy Spirit to help you know and discern His voice and His leading.

[1] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).

[2] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).

[3] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).

[4] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).