1 John 2:4 --- Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him.
Today the Lord and I discussed verse 4, which is quite direct in its message and by the world's standards today, it could be considered harsh, rude or offensive.
This keeps with the theme from chapter 1 of our words and actions lining up. Us saying something, then showing or NOT showing it in our actions and life.
"If you say you have come to know Him", is not just saying, "I've heard of Jesus" or "I know about Jesus and the bible". That's someone being real about having head knowledge of something. John is writing to Christians here, to the "church". This is for someone saying, "I follow Jesus. I accepted Him. I know Him. I'm a Christian. I fellowship with God.". To that person he writes if you do not "keep" His commandments you are a liar.
Now here is usually where God takes me into the Greek and we explore deeper sides to what a word means and when God highlighted the word "LIAR" to me I thought that's where this was headed. Well, in the Greek the word is pseustēs and it means, liar. It's used 10 times in the New Testament and it's translated 10 times liar. Plain and simple.
What came to my mind is people read this then instantly jump to seeing a group of holy roller, high and pious, Christians sitting around pointing fingers, judging others for not being as perfect as they are, etc… The thing is this was a handwritten letter, so it was intended to be read personally or in front of a group of people who all are saying, "I know Him and fellowship with Him and I'm a follower of The Way or a Christian". This wasn't a directive for people to go judge the world or the lost. This was a way for YOU to know if you KNOW Him. It's an alarm bell to make you stop and check something.
The word Liar in this sense does exactly what it's supposed to do, it sticks out and if your declarations of being a Christian in fellowship with the Lord aren't lining up with keeping His commandments, which is reflected in the life your living (public & private) and things you're doing, then you will stub your toe really hard on this one. It's not comfortable. We may not like it, but it's right here in His Word.
The problem is people then take that toe stubbing and instead of slowing down to find out why it hurt so much to smash into that word "liar", they let their feelings and emotions take over. Justifying begins. Blame shifting begins. Self-deceit kicks in. Who are you to call me a liar? That's harsh and unloving. That might push a brother or sister out of the church talking that way. Etc...
This isn't a message meant for the world, those who don't know Him. No, for them that's what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is meant for. The good news that there is a Way, out of the chains of sin/darkness and the penalty of those things, in Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross to pay it. So for those who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life!
This message is meant for the church. It's meant for each of us who say, "I'm a Christian! I know Him! I accepted and follow Jesus! I fellowship with Him!". If you say those things but you do not "KEEP" His commandments, letting them renew your mind daily, letting them transform you more and more into the image of Jesus, then you must wake up and question if what you're saying is true.
Don't let the deceit of "Checklist Christianity" or "The Habit of Christianity" fool you. Just showing up to church weekly and doing good deeds/serving, if done in your own strength to check a box, then feel good about it, or because it's what you're supposed to do or have always done, does not equal real genuine relationship and fellowship with God.
Well, how do I know then? You know that you know Him by honestly evaluating your life (words and actions, public and private), then see if those show you are keeping His commandments and they are changing you.
Also get with a Bible believing, Christian brother/sister who will come alongside you and be real and be honest with you. Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy." Let a true, real brother/sister in Christ discuss this because the enemy will just kiss you over and over never helping you see the truth.
Don't know someone like that...pray. Ask God to show you someone...then step out in faith in Him and start talking to other brothers/sisters. I always told my boys you got to "be a friend, to get a friend." Don't pray and sit back. Pray and reach out.
As always this is where my journey and my time with the Lord went today. Don’t just take my word for it. Be a Berean… jump into your bible, talk to God, ask Him about it. See what He says to you. He's waiting to meet with you and go for an adventurous walk through this life together. Get going!
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