As John writes, he continues to make it clear how to identify a true believer, a genuine Christian. Another of the identifying traits of a true follower of Jesus is: "We keep His commandments." A willingness to keep God's commandments is tangible evidence that you are a saved person. Why? Someone who is not saved will not ever try to keep God's commandments.
There are those today who are saying, "We should not give a Christian the expression that God expects him to keep His commandments. He will become a legalist and try to save himself by commandment keeping." Well we must be careful not to give the wrong impression because it is true, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8) We must always remember this: the Lord does not save us based on performance for if He did we would always come up short. However, this has always been true, no one can claim to be a true believer and not at least try to keep the Lord's commandments. The acid test has always been obedience. Matter of fact, obedience proves our faith. Concerning Abraham, the Scripture tells us, "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)
There is a lot of talk today about faith and obedience as if these are two separate things. Faith and obedience is really one thing. In our Church services, we often sing the song "trust and obey for there is no other way." Friend, if you trust, you obey and if you obey it is because you trust. Faith and obedience go hand in hand. James said, "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14) James also said, "I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18) Faith cannot be seen except by what it does. Noah proved he had faith in God by building the ark. Abraham proved his faith when he was willing to sacrifice his son because the Lord told him to do it.
What about those passages that tell us, "We are saved by grace through faith." There is no contradiction between faith and obedience. Although I realize that I am saved only by what God does. True faith in God will make you obey the Lord.
IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF A TRUE BELIEVER
"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 2:3) Apparently, those John had in mind that he would consider "false prophets" (1 John 4:1) were claiming they knew God (had knowledge of God) although they were not keeping His commandments. John said those people are liars. "He who says, I know Him, but disobeys His commandments is a liar." (1 John 2:4 RSV)
What are a few of the commandments that we are to keep that will prove I am a true follower of Jesus Christ? |
