“By This We Know Him”

Seeking Jesus First

“By This We Know Him”

Please Read 1 John 2:3–6 (NKJV)

Reflection

John does not leave “knowing Jesus” as a claim we can make with our mouths alone.

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”

Knowing Him is relationship. Keeping His commandments is the evidence of that relationship. The one who says, “I know Him,” and will not keep His Word is not misunderstood. John says he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

This is not a new law to earn God’s love. It is the same heartbeat Jesus already gave: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” His commandments are not a heavier yoke than the Law. They are gathered into this: believe in the Son He sent, and love one another. When we keep His Word, the love of God is perfected in us — brought to its intended work. Love moves from something we talk about to something that governs our walk.

“By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

Abiding is not a feeling we visit on Sunday. It is a life. If we live in Him, we learn His steps. Jesus walked in love, in truth, in obedience to the Father, and in mercy toward people. We do not copy His walk by strain. We walk as He walked because His life is in us, and we yield our will to His Word.

Application

Today, measure your knowing of Jesus by your walk, not only by your words. Where His Word has already spoken, obey it. Where love has been withheld, give it. Where you have claimed to abide and then walked another way, come back into the light.

Renew your mind with this truth: We know that we know Him when we keep His Word, and the one who abides in Him walks as He walked. Speak that. Let love be perfected in you through obedience.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that we can know Jesus, and that knowing Him is not an empty claim. Teach us to keep His Word. Perfect Your love in us. We choose to walk as He walked — in truth, in love, and in obedience. Forgive us where our mouths have said “I know Him” and our lives have not agreed. Live in us, and make our walk the evidence of our abiding. In Jesus’ name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.