OUR EVIDENCE OF LOVE - OBEDIENCE

1 John 2:3-4

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.

If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

The evidence of our love for God is shown in our obedience to Him. It is easy to say it or sing it in a song but the evidence is seen when we actually walk in obedience.

Jesus said:

John 14:15

“If you love me, obey my commandments.

For the true evidence of what is in your heart is shown in your actions, remember words are spoken, speaking is actually an action word. Selah

So, this is the right order: you obey, because you love.

Religion is different, obey that you may not die or go to hell etc.

This is why the Lord said through His prophet:

Isaiah 29:13

And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. 

They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 

And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

If it is not from love then it is not from the heart. The summary of the commandments is actually - LOVE!

John explains that the reason for His letter is that we do not sin and very well so. For when love is lost sin raises it's head, all it's fruit become manifest.

When Cain lost love towards his brother, it was evident that sin was near:

Genesis 4:5-8

but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?

You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

This is a great mistake humans make, instead of correcting our faults we look for someone else to blame, who we can visit our frustration on. This hasn't changed or improved the situation, it only worsen it, so Cain had to become a fugitive.

Listen, correction, chastisement or any form of rebuke, should make you better not dejected. For it is a child who is often chastised of their fault that would grow to become that great person of the future.

Are we saying we are above mistakes, we cannot:

1 John 1:8-9

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

However if we do err, He yet covers us as long as we do not dwell there:

1 John 2:1-2

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.

He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

Glory to God.

It is a win-win situation for the believer who walks in obedience. Let the world go whatever way, we go the way of the Lord.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher