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.

Seeking Jesus First September 22, 2026

“We Have an Advocate”

Please Read 1 John 2:1–2 (NKJV)

Reflection

John has just called us into the light and into honest confession. Then he speaks as a father:

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.”

Grace is not a permission slip. The aim of the Word is a clean walk. John does not write so we can settle down in sin. He writes so we will not sin.

Then he tells the truth about the days we fail:

“And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

We do not stand before the Father alone. We have an Advocate. He is not asking the Father to ignore righteousness. He is Jesus Christ the righteous. His case is His own finished work. When the accuser points at your failure, the Son points at His blood.

“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

Propitiation means the debt has been answered. The wrath that sin deserved met the righteousness of Jesus. That work is finished. It is also present help. He is Advocate now — not only at the cross then.

And John will not let us make this private. The same sacrifice that covers us was given for the whole world. Christ did not forgive you and leave everyone else outside His reach. He gave Himself for them too. That is why we forgive others as Christ forgave us — and as He forgave them. We do not wait until they earn it. We release them because the Advocate has already stood for sinners, including the ones who have wounded us.

Application

Today, do not use this Word as cover for sin, and do not use your sin as proof that you have no Advocate. If you have sinned, come to the Father through Jesus Christ the righteous. Receive the finished work. Then look at the people you have been holding.

Renew your mind with this truth: He Himself is the propitiation for our sins — and not for ours only. Forgive as you have been forgiven. Speak that. Walk clean. Let His advocacy become the way you treat others.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus Christ the righteous is our Advocate. Thank You that He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. We receive His finished work. We refuse to settle in sin. Where we have failed, we come to You through Him. Help us forgive others as Christ has forgiven us and them. Keep us walking in the light. In Jesus’ name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.