What Kind Of Pudding Does God Like? Series

If you were told to prove that you loved God then what would you point to in your life? I go to church? I call myself a Christian? I tell God I love Him! Those are facts….you can’t deny a person goes to church or calls themselves something or even makes certain statements to God but is that proof they love God?

Would this work with a husband and wife to one another: Prove you love me? I use the same last name as you? I live in the same house? I even have told you that I love you?

How do we find the proof in the pudding (by pudding it there).

What kind of pudding is God looking for? PROOF PUDDING

(3) And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments, (4) 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; (5) BUT whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected, by this we know that we are in Him;

John deals with the issue of how a person can really know that they are saved.

By this we know that we have come to know Him…

The Greek word for 'we know' occurs twenty times in this letter. John is saying that knowing you are a Christian is not a matter of doubt but a believer can be certain.

I have occasionally come across the same path with famous people:

Lou Rawls – Red Foxx –Garth Brooks-Ralph Hendricks

Working at Tennis Club near Seminary: Man walked up next to me dripping wet in speedo swim suit. Didn’t pay much attention to him but someone on court spoke to him.

He responded with familiar voice. I turned to look Robin Williams eye to eye. He said ‘Hi, how are you doing?’ I said, ‘You know who you are……actually I was thinking…’Do you know how hairy you are?’ That was back in the early 1980’s

Seen most of his cleaner movies and am very familiar with him.

But if you asked him about me he would say, 'Who?' 'Never heard of him'.

I don't know him in the way that I can experience fellowship with him.(without a stalker or trespass charge)

Many know about God, are familiar with Him, what He has done and what He stands for but they don't 'know' Him and thus can have no real fellowship with Him. One builds into the other.

Jesus said in Matthew 7 that you can do lots of things and never have a relationship with Him: Miracles in My Name, cast out demons…prophesy…..I NEVER KNEW YOU

What are some proofs, clear indicators of a relationship with Christ out of which can develop real fellowship?

#1: The things that we say are proven by the things that we do:

(3) By this we know that we have come to know Him, If we keep His commandments.

(4) 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;'

1. John likes to compare the things that people say with the things that they actually do.

Jesus said, Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things that I say?'(Luke 6:46)

2. Look at the phrase, 'By this we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments'.

'Come to know' is in the PERFECT TENSE meaning 'something done in the past' while 'keep His commandments' is PRESENT TENSE meaning ‘continuous action’.

A sign that you have in the past come to know Him(relationship) is your present behavior. Your actions have not changed because you have not been changed.

3. Intensity in the word 'keep'. It carries a very unique meaning. More than just to keep as a possession or to place a guard over. Literally 'to value as a treasure'.

It was a word used in SAILING. The phrase 'keep the stars'. In John's time the stars were the only thing between you and being lost at sea. You learned to 'keep them' or to set your course by them. You would treasure them.

Imagine meeting the President in the Oval Office and while speaking with him you notice that famous button that is able to start nuclear war. He said he has to step out for a moment and asked you, ‘keep an eye on that button, don’t let anyone near it’. How would you treat that button? If anyone walked in what one thing would you keep them away from? guard, keep, treasure that button. You would guard it with your life.

This is more than an attitude but is an intense desire to do what is asked. Not just doing something because it is the thing to do or it might bring us certain benefits but it is the passion of our heart. It is a holy desire to obey God because of your love for Him.