1 John 2:3-8
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
Knowing God in Christ of necessity means that we respond in obedience out of love and thankfulness because of a changed life with changed desires to please and glorify God. This is not obedience to salvation, but because of it. If we then find ourselves with no love of following Christ by doing what we are commanded, our love is of self and the world, but certainly not of our Savior. We are mere liars if we delude ourselves into believing we are set free from sin to continue to live therein. If His truth lives in us, it settles there and begins to rule our thoughts and actions; yet when we fail, we have godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:9-10) to the true repentance which turns from sin and towards Him who saved us from sin. His love is perfected in us when we keep His word, and keeping it is reflected in how close we live as Jesus demonstrated for us. He set the example of perfect obedience and love, and we are (by His power and ability with His desire given as it is written in Philippians 2:13) to imitate Him to love and obey in return. Though He works in is to live this way, we are responsible to put one foot in front of another in response of our obedient action (Philippians 2:12) and by His divine enabling. The commandments have not really changed; we are still to love God with all we are and do, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). This is what the light of saving unearned grace to salvation brings to light our path and lead our steps according to His word (Psalm 119:105). He is our light who so wonderfully leads us out of the darkness of sin and into daily increasing righteousness. Obedience is never exclusive of true love for God. If we say we love Him who set us free from sin, we live obediently out of love in return.
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