1 John 2:3-6 ESV  And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.  (4)  Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,  (5)  but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:  (6)  whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

“Forty-two times 1 John uses two Greek verbs normally translated ‘know’.” (NIV Study Bible note on 1 John 2:3) Obviously, knowledge was a very important theme for this author. An early form of Gnosticism was active during John’s day. It’s name taken from the Greek word for knowledge was appropriate, because they claimed to have a special knowledge of God. They were branded heretics by the early church because they held several unbiblical doctrines. The Apostle John had to deal with the influence of these heretics and knew that he had to handle the word “know” very carefully.

The Gnostics of John’s day claimed superior knowledge and that knowledge was what they used to bolster their claim to a relationship with God. Some today mistakenly believe that because they possess a certain knowledge of the Bible or theology or doctrine, they must have a relationship with God. Now, as then, the assumption is erroneous. So, how can we know that we know God?

The test that John posits is this: we know that we know him, if we obey his commands. Obedience is a key test. Where did John come up with this test? Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 ESV) Obeying is the evidence that we have a relationship with Christ. Because we love him, we listen and obey. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 ESV) We show we love him by obeying him. But don’t reverse this. Obedience can’t buy or earn this relationship.

If you fear this test, it is probably because you already suspect a failing grade. Rather than maligning the test, finding fault with the test, rejecting or ignoring the test, we should embrace it and out of love learn the joy of obedience. Passing the obedience test is easy when we trust and love the one we obey.