The Test of Knowing Him
1 John 2:3-17
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [1 John 2:3-4]
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His come here is a test that can be applied to a professing Christian, and even more so a professing teacher or leader in the church. It is a test of knowing Him [Jesus]. Sounds pretty basic, doesn’t it? I mean, a Christian ought to know Christ; that seems pretty straight forward. However, there is deception amongst counterfeit teachers. John therefore describes three tests to apply.
Firstly, there is a moral test, which is described in 1 John 2:3-4. If a person says that he is a follower of Christ and does not keep Christ’s commandments, i.e., he continually chooses to live in darkness, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. We will discuss this moral test this morning.
Secondly, there is a social test that is to be applied, which is described in 1 John 2:7-17. There is the commandment to love. It is an old commandment [ref. 1 John 2:7]. But a new commandment to love has come by way of the Spirit, which takes the old to the nth degree [ref. 1 John 2:8]. We will discuss this social test this morning as well.
Thirdly, there is a doctrinal test that must be applied, which fundamentally points to the Person of Jesus Christ. “Who do you say that Jesus is?” That is the fundamental question in the doctrinal test. If your answer is anything else but, “Jesus is fully God and Jesus is fully man,” then you have failed the test; you know not the Jesus of the Bible. We will discuss this last test at great length in next week’s message.
The interesting thing about the first two tests [the moral and social tests] is that they work alongside each other. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” [John 14:15]. These are the red-letter words of Jesus.
You see, deep morality comes from being deeply in love with Jesus. You cannot say I love Jesus and walk in darkness.
If we truly know Jesus, and love Him, we will willingly do what He says.
