How Do I Know I Know Jesus?
1 John 2:3-6
Review/Introduction
Jesus named the Apostle John, along with his brother James, the sons of thunder.
They were simple yet powerful fishermen. In his letter/sermon to Christians, John demonstrates a holy thunder yet a tender compassion. He became known as the Apostle of Love. He penned the most quoted verse of the Bible John 3:16. In profound yet simple black and white terms, John addressed some vital issues in the thinking and living of the Christians of his day.
The common thread throughout his letter concerns the monumental concept of fellowship with the eternal God who is absolute light.
I. GOD IS LIGHT
A. THE MESSAGE 1:5
John joyfully announced the message he received from Jesus who eternally existed with the Father but became flesh and visibly lived among men and enlightened men concerning the true nature of the God of the universe. The message received by John from Jesus is found in verse five. God is light and not one speck of darkness can be found anywhere in his character. The nature of God is light in every sense of the word. He enlightens enlivens, invigorates, energizes, illumines and rejuvenates all of creation by His very nature. Jesus burst forth in our world as the light of the world who alones enlightens the darkness of our world.
B. The Implications 1:6-4:6
Since the core of God's character or nature is light, there are some obvious implications for those who want to relate to him. John exposed both the faulty beliefs and corresponding faulty behavior of some who claimed to have a relationship with God but continued to live their lives in darkness. John encouraged proper belief and behavior for all. Since God is light it only follows that those who want to relate to Him should live in the light.
1. Continually walk (live) in the Light
a) Failure to walk in the light (negative)
IF we claim to have an intimate partnership with God and yet continually live contrary to God's ways (walk in darkness)
THEN we neither speak the truth nor live the truth.
b) Walking in the light
On the flip side however, John revealed the reality and blessing of those who choose to live in the light; those who invite God's light to dispel any darkness and direct every choice.
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
In this verse John employed all present tense verbs indicating present continuous action.
IF we continually live in the light where God continually lives then two realties become characteristic of our life.
1. We continually have fellowship with one another
2. The blood of Jesus Christ continually cleanses us from all sin.
2. Continually confess sin 7-10
a) Failure to admit or acknowledge sin (negative)
IF we say that we have no sin,
THEN we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
b) Continually confessing sin (positive)
IF we confess our sin
THEN He promises two things.
He will not fail to do these two things. (He is Faithful)
And
He can lawfully and morally do these two things. (He is Just)
Forgive us our sins
Cleanse us from all unrighteousness
3. Rely on your advocate 2:1-2
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
4. Give attention to His instructions 2:3-6
John writes how we can be sure that we really know Jesus.
we know that we have come to know Him
by this
The word know has a broad range of meaning and application. In general, it has to do with a mental understanding, recognition, perception, insight or discernment based on experience, reflection, investigation, observation and information. Such knowledge or knowing applies to the realm of things and process as well as people and relationships.
There is a knowing on the information and skill level (things and processes).
There is a knowing on the soul level dealing with life and relationships.
The word usually refers to a perception or knowledge gained that either dictates or alters how I relate to people, things or processes.
I know (have come to recognize and understand) that it is unhealthy to touch two electrical wires together. I know (discern) that plants need water. I know that it is good to check the plug in the back of the boat before putting it in the water. I came to know these things through personal experience.
We also know about processes. I know music. I know how to water ski. I know Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. I came to ¡§know¡¨ these things over time through training, investigation, reflection, practice and experience. We all know certain things and processes at differing levels.
Ignorance Curiosity Familiarity Apprenticeship Proficiency - Master or Expert
We also come to know people over time through differing levels.Knowledge of people transcends mere information and facts to a soul awareness and connection.
Anonymous/Agnostic Awareness Acquaintance Associate Allegiance Affection/Adoration
Over time we can progress from complete anonymity to absolute adoration and affection.
The level of knowing develops over time through experience, commitment and trust. We could use the word knowat any of the levels except the first a (not) gnositc (know).
I know George Bush meaning I am aware of his existence and something about his life but no reciprocal relationship exists. ¡§I know Gary Benedict president of C&MAmeaning we met and spoke on a couple occasions at District Conference. I Know Gary Tangeman - pastor at Crossroads meaning we associate through mutual work in the Pacific Northwest District and partner together on occasion. I know the people of Chico¡¨ meaning I have a committed allegiance to serve and give my time and energy to this church family. ¡§I know my wife and kids and grandkids meaning I have a deep affection and adoration that goes beyond other levels.
The Greeks would use this word to indicate intimate sexual relations. The Greek translation of the Old Testament uses the word Adam knew Eve. You may have heard people talk about know in the Biblical sense of the word.
Jesus knew no sin does not mean he was not aware or acquainted with the existence of sin. It means he had no personal acquaintance, association, allegiance or affection with sin. When Jesus says to those who did not serve Him at the end of the age I never knew you does not mean He was not aware or even acquainted or associated with them. He means that there was never an allegiance or affection established anywhere along the way. When Jesus says He know his sheep (John 10:14-15), He refers to a personal committed relationship of allegiance and affection.
In reference to knowing God, we can know God at any of these levels. Many are merely aware of God but they don¡¦t really know Him. One could even be acquainted with God and His ways through reading the Bible or sermons. Some (who claimed to do deeds in His name) would even claim to associate with God. Not until we reach the allegiance or commitment level do we actually come to a saving knowledge of the Lord. It is at the commitment, surrender level that our hearts are transformed and enabled to actually progress to the adoration level. It is this level of acknowledgment of our need for Him and willingness to commit out lives to Him that salvation occurs. This is the knowledge Jesus referred to as the gate to eternal life.
"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Jo 17:3
Peter speaks of this level.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:2-3
I believe that in our present passage John point to a much more intimate and all engaging level of knowing. The theme of his letter has to do with deeper relationship with God. In the first chapter he used the word ¡§fellowship¡¨ or ¡§partnership¡¨ with God. Those who claim to have such a level of relationship with God who is light and yet live in darkness are woefully self-deceived. You can¡¦t claim such a relationship with God and yet live totally contrary to what He is about. In case we missed it the first time, John emphasizes his point again in this passage using equating the concept of ¡§fellowship with God with knowing God .
How can we know that we have fellowship with God? Live in the light and confess sin.
How can we know for sure that we have come to know God on a deep level of intimacy?
¡§If we keep His commandments¡¨
By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1 John 2:3
By keeping His commandments we will have a continual awareness, perception, knowledge (knowin the present tense) that we have reached a level of intimate relationship with Jesus that even now affects how we live (know in the perfect tense).
What does it mean to keep His commandments? First what are we to keep? Commandments.
John does not use the normal word for the law here. Rather he uses the word meaning charge, precept, commission, direction, instruction of a teacher. He may have the Ten Commandments in mind but also any of the teachings of Jesus we find in the Gospels and uttered through His apostles.
Keep
John used a present tense verb indicating continual action; continually keep. The meaning of the word has to do with guarding (as in guarding a prisoner), watch, keep your eyes fixes upon, keep in view, apply oneself to, pay attention, observe, be vigilant, and obey. I am sure that John did not intend to imply the necessity of perfect adherence to all the commandments. That is clear from the admonition early to confess sin and the comfort of Jesus as our sinless Advocate when we do. The sure indicator of intimate relationship with Christ is close attention to the words of Christ. John reinforces the main thought by further explanation.
The one saying, "I have come to know Him," and not keeping His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but
whoever keeps His word, the love of God has truly been perfected in him.
A direct contrast might read
Whoever keeps His word
Is not a liar and the truth is in him.
Instead John talks about the love of God being perfected in him. It is God¡¦s truth and God¡¦s love that motivates our love for Him. The greater the love, the more we will strive to honor His will and give close attention to His words.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3
"In that day(when the Holy Spirit comes) you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said* to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me. John 14:20-24
Anytime you get a letter from someone at the upper end of the relationship chart you pour over the words. You give them greater attention. How much attention do we give the words and wishes of Jesus? The level of attention demonstrates the level of knowledge. John clearly states that merely to say you have a personal relationship with Jesus does not make it so. If the Spirit of truth lives in you, you will be motivated to live by it. John follows up with another word indicating intimate relationship that Jesus linked together in the earlier passage.
It is the word to abide; to remain to maintain close relationship. Perhaps this word indicates a step beyond knowing.
Fellowship knowing abiding.
All of these indicate deep relationship.
we know that we are in Him
by this
the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked
Again, John provides a test to know the depth of our relationship with God. The one who says he has such a relationship ought to live as He did. The closer to Christ we become the more we will reflect His character. Just as bad company corrupts good morals, good company encourages good morals. How well do you know God? How would you characterize your relationship?
Do the facts bear it out? Walk in the light. Give due attention to hear and obey His instructions.
Live as he lived. How passionate are we to really know Christ?
Listen to Paul's passion!
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11
This is a lifelong pursuit; a continual aspiration.
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Philippians 3:12-16
I leave you with two questions today?
Do you know that you know Christ to the point where it affects everything you do?
What are you willing to count loss in order to know him like that?
