Focal Passage: 1 John 2:3-11, 15-17
Something comes natural to many of us when we meet a new
person, we play a little game that we can simply call “association.”
Once we learn where a person is from, we begin to make
connections, if possible, with the ever familiar question, “Do you know …?”
Recently as visitors were departing the Sunday morning
worship service I learned that they were from Kentucky and the husband was from
a small town named Lancaster.
It just so happens that my family has visited there numerous
times throughout the years, and we have a mutual acquaintance, what a small
world.
As Christians we have an association that is not a game, it
is an honor, a lifelong commitment.
It is made when we give our hearts to the Lord through our
relationship with Jesus Christ, and there might be opportunities for the
question to arise, “Do you know Christ?”
It might just as easily not be presented, and that allows
our lives the important task of genuine Christian witness.
In 1 John 2 we are told that Christians can know beyond a
doubt that they know God if we obey His commandments (v. 3).
This is not a claim of works righteousness, but a statement
of simple truth. Your life will be evidence of God by that which you do.
A life lived for the Lord is a life filled with love and
John references this as “living in the light.”
And those who hate a brother or sister will be living in
darkness without knowledge of the way to go.
And further in verses 15-17 we are urged to keep from
allowing secular values to get in the way of our commitment and love for God.
Worldliness can easily draw many Christians into its snares
of pride and pleasure.
The danger can be summed up in one word, success. The world
has a definition that is often in stark contrast to the kingdom, and to
“knowing the Lord.”
Verse 17 tells us, “this world is fading away, along with
everything that people crave.
“But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
Success in knowing God is pleasing God and that is our
ultimate hope in our witness.
Do you have no doubt that you know God? Does your witness
provide no doubt to the world?