1 John 2:3-6 (cont.)

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 himself also to walk just as He walked.”

2:3-6 – The simplest way to restate these verses is this: All believers must go through the process of sanctification as they mature as Christians. Sanctification is the process by which our lives become more and more conformed to that of Jesus’ life which is explicitly explained in His Word.

v. 3 – the most important thing to take from this verse is the order in which the clauses are written. “we know that we know Him” comes before “keep[ing] His commandments.” The clause did not say “if we keep His commandments” then “we know Him.” Keeping the commandments of Christ are merely the outworking of knowing Him, not the process by which we get to know Him. The latter is legalism; the former is true salvation.

v. 3, 4 – The depth of these verses is amazing. Basically, they say that if we “know Him” we will “keep His commandments.” Jesus once said in this gospels, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” This is one case of the Bible talking about two things leading to the same end. These ideas are not contradictions at all, rather they create a continuum of spiritual truth. If we love Christ, we will know Him; if we know Him, we will love Christ.

1 John 2:3-6 (cont.)

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.