Text:
“3Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4He who says, I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know we are in Him. 6He who says he abides in Him ought himslef also to walk just as He walked.”
Sorry for the recent hiatus. School hit me pretty hard, but I’m back now, to cover our next section of Scripture.
1 John 2:3 -6 – John gives three tests of genuine fellowship in these Scriptures. In vv 1:1-4; John establishes the first test, the affirmation of a proper view of Christ. In vv. 1:5-2:2, John gives us the second test of true fellowship – the affirmation of the reality of sin. (From a translator’s note: “the ‘we’ in verses 6,8,10 is not a reference to genuine Christians but a general reference to anyone claiming fellowship, but denying sin. The ‘we” in vv. 7, 9, and 2:1, 2 is a specific reference to genuine Christians.”). In these verses, John finally gives us the third test of genuine fellowship. Obedience to God’s commands constitutes this third test. First, John presents two external tests that demonstarte salvation: doctrinal and moral. The doctrinal test consists of confessing a proper view of Christ and sin (1:1-4 and 1:5-2:2), while the moral test consists of obedience and love (also see vv 7:11). While subjective assurance of salvation comes through the witness of the Holy Spirit, the test of obedience consitutes objective assurance that one is genuinely saved. Obedience is the external, visible proof of salvation. Those who are ruly enlightened and know God are obedient to His Word.
We will explore these verses individually more tomorrow.
