And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
- I John 2:3 (ESV)
Our friend, John the apostle, gives to us another spiritual sign of life. This sign is called obedience. People who know Jesus personally keep God’s commandments.
What does it mean to keep God’s commandments? The word “keep” here means to “keep an eye upon”. Believers keep their eyes upon God’s commands. Their observation means not only that they continue to look to the Bible for their instructions but they also obey those instructions. The life of faith is a life of obedience to Christ the Master.
Why do believers obey? They certainly do not obey God’s commands in order to be saved. No one is saved by works. Believers obey Christ because they are saved. Obedience is then a response to God’s love rather than an attempt to gain God’s love.
Obedience is natural for the Christian. This is because God changes the Christian’s heart to be bent towards obedience. Does this mean that Christians always obey? No, Christians do not always obey. When in disobedience, the Christian lives in misery until repentance brings them back into obedience (read the spiritual sign of life called “confession”). The believer is most content when living in faithful obedience to the Savior.
- Pastor Randy
- I John 2:3 (ESV)
Our friend, John the apostle, gives to us another spiritual sign of life. This sign is called obedience. People who know Jesus personally keep God’s commandments.
What does it mean to keep God’s commandments? The word “keep” here means to “keep an eye upon”. Believers keep their eyes upon God’s commands. Their observation means not only that they continue to look to the Bible for their instructions but they also obey those instructions. The life of faith is a life of obedience to Christ the Master.
Why do believers obey? They certainly do not obey God’s commands in order to be saved. No one is saved by works. Believers obey Christ because they are saved. Obedience is then a response to God’s love rather than an attempt to gain God’s love.
Obedience is natural for the Christian. This is because God changes the Christian’s heart to be bent towards obedience. Does this mean that Christians always obey? No, Christians do not always obey. When in disobedience, the Christian lives in misery until repentance brings them back into obedience (read the spiritual sign of life called “confession”). The believer is most content when living in faithful obedience to the Savior.
- Pastor Randy
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