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NASB | 1 John 2:3 ¶ By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:3 ¶ And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). |
Subject: Walk as He walked |
Bible Note: Greetings Flinkywood! Good quotes! You wrote: ""If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” (John 14:15) implies that keeping—doing--His commandments is required to love Jesus. Since Jesus is the Law, and since apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5) doing the Law flows from loving Christ in return; therefore not doing the Law--breaking any of the 10 commandments--is to fail to love Christ (1 John 2:4; 4:20)." The first sentence I would have disagreed with in isolation, but you explained it in your second sentence. If I may phrase it in a slightly different manner: Obedience is the result of the love of Christ, love is not the result of obedience. I have had some good Bible studies trying to get people to understand that concept. Our culture wants so much to be able to stand before God and say, "I deserve to be here because I obeyed your commands". Yet Scripture makes it clear that we are saved because of what He did, not what we do. If we were to be 'judged' based upon our works, we would all be in serious trouble. :-) Well, I have to get ready for our youth group now! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |