Tonight’s Bible study continued looking at the ‘moral test’ John gives for discerning if we are true disciples: in 1 John 2:3-6 we read how our obedience to keeping God’s commands really reflects our love for Him. We can be sure (‘knowing‘ is mentioned in 1 John 2:3 & 5), but there is always a link between our beliefs and our lifestyle (see also John 14:15, 23-24, John 15:10, 15).
John’s bold statement is that ‘Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.’ We looked at how Jesus lived:
- in fellowship with the Father, always seeking to do His will (see John 4:34, John 5:16-18, John 14:31)
- living with a secure sense of His identity and purpose and destiny (see John 5:36, John 13:3, John 14:6)
- following a life of love (see John 15:9-17)
- forgiving others (see Luke 7:48, Luke 23:34)
- serving others and God (see John 13:1-17, Matt 20:28)
- in the power of the Holy Spirit (see Luke 3:21, Luke 4:14, Acts 10:38)
- in freedom and simplicity (see Luke 4:17-19, Matt 8:20)
If we are to live like Jesus, then, we have to be secure in our God-given identity as ‘dear children’, not having to strive for acceptance or earn that identity but receiving it freely from God as a gift. We show our love for God through our obedience and service and demonstrate His nature by loving, forgiving and serving willingly, living in the power of the Holy Spirit (not by our own strength, intelligence or manipulative control.) When we do this, love for God is ‘made complete’ in us, in the sense that we receive God’s love and then that love is lived out in us through our obedience to keeping God’s command. As the Message version of Matt 5:48 (which uses the same word, ‘complete’ or ‘perfect’) says, “Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously towards others, the way God lives towards you.”