[1 John Series 5] Our Love and LifeSample

This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him

When we are studying a Bible book as in this 1 John series, sometimes it is important to zero in on the text so that we can squeeze from it some not-so-obvious meaning. In 1 John 2:3 we find the word: “know,” which, in the Greek, is in what is called perfect tense. That means there is some action that has taken place in the past; an action that is already completed. 

If knowing Jesus was completed in the past, then these verses of Scripture are not talking about salvation, but about intimacy with God. John is focusing on the bigger picture of our Christian walk rather than on its individual pixels. If you think that our salvation comes on and then off according to our present actions, then we would be going back and forth the whole day long, even in our sleep.

By this perfect tense word “know,” we see that John is talking about how to have an intimate, growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, he calls us, “little children” and “brothers and sisters.” If you have placed your faith in Jesus, you have become a member of the family of God. Now, the only way to prove that is to live it out. 

As members of the family of God, if we don’t keep His commands, we are lying. We are lying to God, which is the dumbest thing to do because God knows everything. We lie to other people, because we are trying to put forth an image that is not us. And we are lying to ourselves. Self-deception is a big deal. This is where we can get in trouble as believers in Christ. We can think that if our morality is intact, then our authority issues between us and God don’t really make a difference. You may be tremendously rebellious in your heart before the Lord, and independent from God, but make it all look right and good. God loves you still, He cares for you, and as the prodigal son He wants you to come back.

I want to be honest with myself. Where am I with You, Lord? What am I saying and what am I doing? What am I claiming and how am I acting? Where is my faith and where is my obedience? If I am really Yours, am I acting it out?