1 John 2:4-6 ESV  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:

“Hypocrisy,” “hypocrite” are frequent in the New Testament, chiefly in Christ’s discourses in the Gospels. The word hupokrisis (primarily, “an answer,” “response”) meant generally, in classical Greek, stageplaying, acting, the histrionic art; hence, it came to mean acting a part in life, etc. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Article on Hypocrisy)

You’ve heard: “Talk is cheap.” That’s because it is easy to make claims, but more challenging to back them up. We say things we don’t mean, make promises we can’t keep, and claim to be what we know we aren’t. It is easy to claim that we have a relationship with Christ. In fact, some boast about the claim. But there must be proof to substantiate the claim. As John has already pointed out in this letter, people often “say” things that are not true. “The proof in the pudding” is this: we walk in his ways and keep his commandments.

The hypocrite wants people to believe that a relationship with Christ exists when it doesn’t. This person puts on a good show, but at the end of the day, doesn’t want to do what it takes to make the fake claims a reality. Again, this person is called a liar, because the truth is not in him. Sometimes, we tell the lie so long that we even begin to believe it ourselves; we deceive even ourselves. But we will never be able to deceive Christ.

When we keep his word, the love of God is τετελειωται (is accomplished). The word carries the idea of reaching the goal and accomplishing the purpose. The goal of the love of God expressed in the gift of his Son was not only to pardon and release us from sin, but to enable us to live for him.

The design of God’s love in sending Jesus Christ into the world to die for the sin of man is accomplished, in that man who receives the doctrine, and applies for the salvation provided for him. This seems to be the meaning of the apostle. (Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1 John 2:5)

Jesus told those who were seeking to put him to death the plain truth:

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.
(John 5:39-42 ESV)

For those of us who know the Savior and have experienced his marvelous provision, we desire:

to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
(Ephesians 3:19 ESV)