1 John 2:4-6  

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. 

John describes two types of people who proclaim to follow Christ. The first person proclaims Christ but does not keep nor follow his commandments. John says this person is a liar and not a true believer. The second person keeps and follows the Word of God and abides in him. The one who abides in God will produce fruit because of the love that is being perfected in them.  

Which person are you?  

Are you the one that proclaims Christ but does not keep his commandments? If so, repent and turn your affections towards Christ! If you proclaim Christ, you will desire to follow his commandments. Not because works will save you, but because he commands you to follow him! “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (John 14:21 ESV). Christians follow the commandments of God, not out of obligation, but for their love of him.  

If you are the second person, then by keeping God’s commandments his love is perfected in you! This means that your sins are forgiven and your redemption is complete. There is no more work to be done. Jesus died on the cross for your sins; past, present, and future. His death and resurrection solidified your place in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ perfect obedience provides assurance to your salvation.  

Thus, abiding in Christ will cause our lives to reflect his life. How you live your life, is a key indicator as to where your affections lie. 

Does your life look more worldly than godly? Do you desire heavenly things, or worldly things? A good question to ask yourself, “Am I willing to give up (x) to know God deeply?” A few examples could be: Sunday football, traveling, weekend fishing/lake trips, work schedule, social media.  

These are not bad things, but do they take priority over your relationship with God? Are you willing to skip worship but never skip a football game? Are you willing to spend hours scrolling social media, but only spend five minutes reading Scripture?  

Christian, you are called to abide in Christ, which means you put him first in your life. To know God, we must walk with him. I encourage you to seek him first before anything this world has to offer. For in him, are joys and pleasures forevermore.  

-Pastor Brett