May 14, 2017 PROOF OF PERFECTION
1 John 2:3-6: “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”
We must be aware of the fact that believers can delude themselves to the point that there is a separation, or dichotomy, in what they say they believe, and the life they live. We can say we believe what the scriptures teach, but at the same time be ok with living in a way that contradicts the teaching of the scriptures. We may excuse ourselves and our actions that contradict scripture by claiming that, ‘we are just humans-God loves us regardless of what we do.’ We are humans, and God does love us regardless, but there is great error in such thought if we stop there. God’s plan of redemption is much more than a ticket to heaven; His redemption includes transforming us into His image. God is love, and all that He does in the lives of those who know Him is based on His love. It is His love that allowed His Son to die in our place, and it is His perfect love that transforms us and makes us new. The love of God is a giving love, while human love is self-centered. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” John 3:16. It is indeed a miracle when the human heart is transformed by the love and power of God from a heart of a self-centered love, to a heart full of the love of God. It is amazing, but when we come to know the love of God in a personal way, we are changed from the inside out. When our heart is functioning in the love of God, our thoughts and actions reflect the heart of God! When we experience His great love for us, it is only natural to follow His commands because we know that the things He commands are the very best for us and they always lead to life. We also keep His word because we have become like Him, and we now think like He thinks and responds like He responds. Believers can fall into the erroneous belief that says they must ‘try harder,’ be more diligent, etc. in their living out the Christian life. The truth is, when God’s love is perfected in our heart, and when we understand that we have been made new, keeping His word becomes the natural thing to do. In fact, if we know Him, we will keep His word!! (A very sobering and thought provoking truth.) It’s not that we will live a perfect life, but it does mean that when we know the love of God, we will keep His word. Even when we sin, we follow His word by confessing and turning from our sin. The greatest thing we can do in this life is to know Him, and have His love perfected in us, with the result of us keeping His word.
Luke 11:28: “He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”
Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed