BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM – “KEEP” “WALK” AND “LOVE”

Many have followed our LORD Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry. In fact, the Bible records it as, multitudes. Even today, millions claim to be the followers of the LORD Jesus. 

We see in the Gospels, all the multitudes, who were following Jesus the Messiah, were in fact, following for various reasons, other than what Jesus wanted His followers to. If we observe, out of the twelve disciples, that Jesus Himself personally chose, one turned out to be the betrayer. Of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus, only one returned to thank Him, that too, the much “cursed” Samaritan.

Now how do we know, who is truly following the LORD, and who is simply following the crowds? How do we know who is merely following the Master, for their personal needs, and their selfish interests? The apostle John lists, three clear and unmistakable markers, for us, in his First Epistle – 1 John 2:3-6;9-11. Let us look at those three markers.

1- “BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM – IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS” – 1 John 2:3-5
– “3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”
The Bible is clear and there are no confusing words in the above passage. Everyone who claims to be a follower of the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth – those who claim to “KNOW” God – is expected to “KEEP” the commandments.
– “The evidence of someone knowing God, and [in] fellowship with Him is that he does keep His commandments. A simple, loving obedience is a natural result of fellowship with God.” – David Guzik

2- “BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM – TO WALK JUST AS HE WALKED” – 1 John 2:6
– “6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
If we claim to be someone who “ABIDES” in the LORD Jesus, then it is “SEEN” in our walk. All such people “WALK” in the path that, our LORD Jesus Himself, had walked. A Christian is identified by his walk. We are called to walk on the path, which Jesus Himself had walked – JUST AS JESUS WALKED.
– Our walk is visible for everyone to see.
– Our walk displays our direction and our destination.
– Our walk is a conscious and intentional choice, that we make volitionally.
– Our walk is an insight into our hearts and our minds.
– Our walk is seen, heard and felt by the whole world, in and through our thoughts, words and deeds. 

3- “BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM – HE WHO LOVES HIS BROTHER ABIDES IN THE LIGHT” – 1 John 2:9-11
– “9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
Our claim to be the followers of the LORD Jesus Christ, is seen in the “LOVE” we have for our fellow brother, and by extension, the whole world. The Jews of Jesus’ day, hated a lot of people. Jesus, in response to a loaded question, “Who is my neighbour?” tells them, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Let us not be like such people, whose heart never was on following God, faithfully and obediently. We as Christians, and the followers of Christ, are called to love people, and not hate anyone. This too is a clear marker for our discipleship.

Where do we stand, in relation to these three markers, from the Word of God? Can we call ourselves the followers of the LORD Jesus Christ? Would Jesus identify us as His followers and disciples? Would Jesus be happy and glad to be identified as our LORD? May we seek the LORD, to help us be His true followers. Even so, the LORD help us.