1 John 2:3 (KJV)
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
What do you mean we don’t know?
According to this passage, it is possible to think we know Jesus and yet not truly know Him. This is both convicting and compelling. Over the years, I have spoken to many people who assume they know, demand they know, become upset over the question of whether they know, or are offended at the suggestion that they may not know.
But the biblical standard is quite clear, regardless of what one may or may not say. We know whether we know Him “if we keep his commandments.”
To be sure, there are those who twist that truth and think that keeping His commandments is the work required to go to heaven. For them, keeping His commandments becomes more important than knowing Jesus. Once again, they make an assumption: “If I do what I believe the Bible commands me to do, then I must be saved,” regardless of any personal relationship with Christ.
Then there are those who assume it is impossible to keep all His commandments, so they focus only on “belief.” For them, Christianity is not about what they do or do not do, but simply whether they profess faith in Christ. Commandments, to them, equal legalism.
Here is the biblical truth: a genuine faith relationship with Christ produces obedience. If we truly know Him, we keep His commandments.
- We do not keep them to get to know Him.
- We do not keep them out of a grudging “have to.”
- We do not keep a checklist of do’s and don’ts in an effort to keep Jesus happy with us.
One who truly knows Jesus does what Jesus has taught him simply because he knows Jesus, and he trusts Christ’s commandments to be good, reasonable, and perfect.
#KnowHim #KeepHisCommandments #FaithThatObeys #BiblicalTruth #1John2v3
Can You Know That You Know Jesus? The Bible Says Yes—But…
What do you believe 1 John 2:3 really teaches about knowing Jesus? Have you ever struggled with the balance between faith, obedience, and legalism? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.
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