1 John 2:3-14

1 John 2:3-14
Two marks of true Christianity

Front line Church

 These are two points that John makes in this chapter displaying what true Christianity looks like.
  • Verses 3-6 Real Christianity is obedience to Christ
  • Verses 9-11 Real Christianity is love for the Church


(3-6) "Obedience to Christ" evidence you know Jesus is obedience to Jesus. In these verses God leaves no room for misunderstanding what He is saying. We as humans automatically want to negotiate with God over what He is saying because in our flesh we know we can't keep up with this standard. This text is not trying to push us twords law driven religion nor is it trying to push us away from the grace of Jesus to love people right where they are. Neither is he trying to demand perfectionism,because earlier on in the book 

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

This is John saying that for sure everyone has sin and he even goes so fast to say that if someone says that they don't have sin then they are a lier. but what he is saying is in light of what he has done for us this should be our response to Him "obey His commands" John is calling us to a real kind of Christianity where you and I acknowledge the absolute athorty of Jesus. Real Christianity is not a buffet with Jesus, it's the whole meal... Evidence that one has really come to know Jesus is that obedience follows. Knowing Jesus and obeying Jesus are two sides to the same coin. The way to see for your self if what you say you believe is actually what you believe is when what you want for your life and what the Bible says you should do are in conflict... What then do you do? Sometimes obeying Jesus is an absolute fight against old desires and old addictions that used to control our lives and when we are fighting this fight to do what we are called to it shows that we truly believe it. The kind of assurance that John is telling  us about here deals with the present posture of your heart today. 


(9-11) "Love for the Church" whenever John says brother he is specifically talking about other Christians. Do you live the Church? Love for one another is the deciding characteristic that the world sees that shows that we are Christ followers. A kind of love where we commit to others the way that Jesus committed to us. Real love for Jesus will knit you to His people. 

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