Daily Bread 2011 - 1 John 2
Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
What Does This Mean?
In the 2nd chapter, the apostle explains the relationship between obedience and our relationship with the Father. One of the heresies of the Gnostic movement was the “antinomian” (anti-nomian means anti-law or “nom”) heresy. They felt since they were forgiven they could do whatever they wanted. They said God’s commands didn’t apply to them anymore because they were under grace and not the Law. Basically, they were living in the flesh and trying to use the doctrine of justification by grace to rationalize their licentious lifestyle.
The apostle challenges the young community and says that even though we are saved by grace, that doesn’t give them the right to abolish the law. Although we are not saved by observing or living up to the Law (which we could never do anyways!), that doesn’t give us the right to just do whatever we want to do. This is what the world sees as “hypocrisy”. Meaning we say we are Christian, but then we disregard God’s laws and commands. Though we are not justified by observing the Law, we are not above it either, as it is holy and just.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Oftentimes the word “obedience” gets confused with the word “legalism”. Obedience is a natural response from our hearts having been saved by God’s grace. Legalism is bondage to the Law trying to do things to win God’s approval. Obedience is doing the right things, because we have God’s approval. There is a huge misunderstanding in the Church over these concepts and the result is a very shallow Christianity, with not much potency.
To obey God’s Word is to trust God, that God’s Word is good for us. At the heart of our relationship with God is trusting that He knows what is best for us. God’s commands are not burdensome, but they actually free us from ourselves to live life to its fullest. When we stop trying to earn God’s love through obedience, but respond instead because of His love for us, this is a whole new way of relating to God. And as the passage concludes this is to live like Jesus did, who relied on God’s Word for every move He made. You might paraphrase the last verse to say, “Whoever claims to be Christian must live like Jesus did.” We know that because of the gift of the Holy Spirit we can live like Jesus did and do the things He did. This is what makes a Christian a Christian, not perfect yet and yet we know what our goal is.
Jesus, continue to perfect us so that we might respond to your great love in obedience to all you have commanded us to do. We know your commands are not burdensome but lead to life to its fullest in loving you and learning how to love others like you did. Amen.
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
What Does This Mean?
In the 2nd chapter, the apostle explains the relationship between obedience and our relationship with the Father. One of the heresies of the Gnostic movement was the “antinomian” (anti-nomian means anti-law or “nom”) heresy. They felt since they were forgiven they could do whatever they wanted. They said God’s commands didn’t apply to them anymore because they were under grace and not the Law. Basically, they were living in the flesh and trying to use the doctrine of justification by grace to rationalize their licentious lifestyle.
The apostle challenges the young community and says that even though we are saved by grace, that doesn’t give them the right to abolish the law. Although we are not saved by observing or living up to the Law (which we could never do anyways!), that doesn’t give us the right to just do whatever we want to do. This is what the world sees as “hypocrisy”. Meaning we say we are Christian, but then we disregard God’s laws and commands. Though we are not justified by observing the Law, we are not above it either, as it is holy and just.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Oftentimes the word “obedience” gets confused with the word “legalism”. Obedience is a natural response from our hearts having been saved by God’s grace. Legalism is bondage to the Law trying to do things to win God’s approval. Obedience is doing the right things, because we have God’s approval. There is a huge misunderstanding in the Church over these concepts and the result is a very shallow Christianity, with not much potency.
To obey God’s Word is to trust God, that God’s Word is good for us. At the heart of our relationship with God is trusting that He knows what is best for us. God’s commands are not burdensome, but they actually free us from ourselves to live life to its fullest. When we stop trying to earn God’s love through obedience, but respond instead because of His love for us, this is a whole new way of relating to God. And as the passage concludes this is to live like Jesus did, who relied on God’s Word for every move He made. You might paraphrase the last verse to say, “Whoever claims to be Christian must live like Jesus did.” We know that because of the gift of the Holy Spirit we can live like Jesus did and do the things He did. This is what makes a Christian a Christian, not perfect yet and yet we know what our goal is.
Jesus, continue to perfect us so that we might respond to your great love in obedience to all you have commanded us to do. We know your commands are not burdensome but lead to life to its fullest in loving you and learning how to love others like you did. Amen.
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