LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Wednesday 23rd February 2022
HOW TO KNOW THAT YOU KNOW CHRIST
Scripture Reading: 1 John 2
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
There were people in the early church who believed that learning about Christ was the most important thing. There were preachers who taught that having a knowledge of Christ was all that was needed in the Christian life and that living a righteous life was not necessary. The Apostle John warned the early Christians not to follow such preachers. Unfortunately, the false teaching that John addressed then, is still prevalent in the church.
Throughout this letter, John used the phrase “we know” many times. He repeated this phrase to encourage genuine Christians to be sure that their belief was not a matter for doubt but a fact that could be both known and experienced. All believers can be certain of their relationship with Christ and can be assured of his forgiveness.
We know because we obey. One of the ways of knowing that we are genuine Christians is that we obey the Lord. We do not only know about the Lord but obey His commandments.
Obeying Christ is a sure way of knowing that we belong to Jesus Christ. This does not mean that believers must follow a list of rules without ever falling short. Nor does it mean that people must demonstrate obedience before they can come to know God. Instead, obedience comes as the natural outworking of a person’s faith and love for the Lord. True believers wholeheartedly learn about the Lord and do what the Lord says.
John used strong language to convey the truth. Anyone who claims to know God, but does not obey His commandments, is a liar. In fact, the truth does not exist in that person in any form.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I desire to know and obey you. Help me by your Spirit to live my life according to your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.