Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. For he who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says that he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:3-6).
Many in our day profess Christianity. Some even go as far as to attend Mass or some other Christian service on a weekly basis, but are nothing more than pew sitters. These individuals may have the world fooled; even their friends and family into believing they are Christians, but are in reality are living dangerously by believing there is nothing wrong with their lifestyle. They believe through their weekly church attendance that they have reached the standard of goodness that is acceptable unto God. Unfortunately their standard of goodness doesn’t begin to compare with God’s standard.
The problem with pretend Christians is that they always have their eyes upon all the wrong things. They refuse to separate themselves from an ungodly world. They use no discernment in what material they read, what movies or television programs they view, what establishments they frequent or what company they keep. They are completely unconcerned with the types of conversations they engage in, how they dress, act, walk or treat other people. Some even believe there is nothing wrong with abortion or sexual activity outside the boundaries set forth by the Church. In other words, they believe they can engage in the activities that God is against and still be considered Christians. But they are gravely mistaken. These are the ones that St. John is referring to as not only living a lie, but whose lives are void of any truth.
Those that profess an allegiance unto Christ must remember His words: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind and with all your strength.” And: “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31).
Again, one cannot engage in sinful activity or stand for everything that God is against and love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, nor can one love their neighbor in the way that God has intended. The two are inseparable.
St. John tells us we are “not to love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lusts of it; but he who does the will of God lives forever (1John 2:15-17).
In writing his First Epistle, St. John makes it perfectly clear that the context of his letter is nothing new. It is the same commands that Christ Jesus had already revealed. He merely reinforces the fact that the one who truly knows Christ is the one who keeps His words. By keeping the Lord’s words the love of God becomes perfected in us. Therefore the true mark of knowing Christ Jesus comes down to one word—obedience (1John 2:5).
May The Peace Of Christ Be With You
Many in our day profess Christianity. Some even go as far as to attend Mass or some other Christian service on a weekly basis, but are nothing more than pew sitters. These individuals may have the world fooled; even their friends and family into believing they are Christians, but are in reality are living dangerously by believing there is nothing wrong with their lifestyle. They believe through their weekly church attendance that they have reached the standard of goodness that is acceptable unto God. Unfortunately their standard of goodness doesn’t begin to compare with God’s standard.
The problem with pretend Christians is that they always have their eyes upon all the wrong things. They refuse to separate themselves from an ungodly world. They use no discernment in what material they read, what movies or television programs they view, what establishments they frequent or what company they keep. They are completely unconcerned with the types of conversations they engage in, how they dress, act, walk or treat other people. Some even believe there is nothing wrong with abortion or sexual activity outside the boundaries set forth by the Church. In other words, they believe they can engage in the activities that God is against and still be considered Christians. But they are gravely mistaken. These are the ones that St. John is referring to as not only living a lie, but whose lives are void of any truth.
Those that profess an allegiance unto Christ must remember His words: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind and with all your strength.” And: “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31).
Again, one cannot engage in sinful activity or stand for everything that God is against and love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, nor can one love their neighbor in the way that God has intended. The two are inseparable.
St. John tells us we are “not to love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lusts of it; but he who does the will of God lives forever (1John 2:15-17).
In writing his First Epistle, St. John makes it perfectly clear that the context of his letter is nothing new. It is the same commands that Christ Jesus had already revealed. He merely reinforces the fact that the one who truly knows Christ is the one who keeps His words. By keeping the Lord’s words the love of God becomes perfected in us. Therefore the true mark of knowing Christ Jesus comes down to one word—obedience (1John 2:5).
May The Peace Of Christ Be With You
