Daily Thoughts from 1 John: The Test of Obedience (2:3-6)

Daily Thoughts from 1 John: The Test of Obedience

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. 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.  (1 John 2:3-6 ESV)

I’ve often heard the illustration that bank tellers are not trained to recognize currency knockoffs by showing them all the possible counterfeits out there but by making them so familiar with the real currency that the fake one becomes obvious to them.  Makes some sense, but that is not entirely what John is going to do.  He has already been showing counterfeits as well as highlighting the real thing.

Now he begins a look at three tests for knowing who is a follower of Jesus Christ.  The first is obedience.  John is going to state these using the present tense (“we keep His commandments”).  Just like our present tense it can denote something that is done repetitively or habitually (“I brush my teeth” means not, I am brushing them right now, but that it is my habit to brush my teeth).  John is not saying we never fail to obey Jesus’ commands.  This would contradict what he just said about believers not being those who can claim to be sinless.

But the habit of believers is they keep Jesus’ commands.  To say I know Jesus, which implies a saving relationship, means I love him and trust him and would want to do what he tells me to do.  So if I consistently don’t obey him I am a liar who does not possess the truth.

If the love of God truly is perfected in me (His love for me first, and my love for Him as a consequence), I will keep His word, His commands.  God’s love for me is perfect, of course, and has been demonstrated fully in the sacrifice of Christ for me (just mentioned in verse 2).  But my love for Him is not perfect.  In a believer it should be growing.  I should be becoming an imitator of my Father and of Jesus my Savior, walking after the same pattern as I see in Him.

So, counterfeit Christian, no consistent obedience.  Genuine believer, growing practice of obedience and certainly the inner desire to be obedient.  I may fail to be obedient, but I expose myself to the light of God in the face of Scripture and my fellow believers, confess it and am forgiven and cleansed.  And this process continues throughout my life.