Knowing That We Are In Him

 It has been too long since I have written here, but I am back.  Praise God:
He has gotten me through serious surgery and a move.  In fact, I'm still unpacking and putting away.

The scripture today is 1 John 2:  4-6 with the emphasis on verse 5.  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ( KJV, 2:5).  What struck me about verse 5 is it does not say we will be just like Jesus.  That may sound heretical to some people, but I don't mean it to be.  It is telling us that when we keep God's word, His love is perfected in us;  even though, as human beings saved by grace, we fail to live our lives free of sin.  I have found my inability to live a sin-free life frustrating;   but v. 5 gives me hope, that when I keep His word, His love will grow in me, and I will do better.

 I would like to back up a bit to verse 4 which says the person who claims to know Jesus, but does not keep his commandments is a liar.  I don't think a liar or a pretender feels the frustration of having failed to live up to God's standards.  A backslider may feel chagrin at falling short, but this is only right since he or she has not been abiding in Him. Knowing God's word and keeping God's word is bread and butter to the Christian.  If we do not do these things, we are starving our spirits, which throws us into a quandary of doubt.  The Christian who  saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  (KJV,1John 2:6).  This person will experience the peace and joy of the Lord.  However, it is not time to give up when we fail;  for, verse 5 does not say we will immediately be just like Jesus.  It says whoso keepeth his word -- His love is perfected in that person.  And it is by this know we that we are in him.  Being perfected is a process:  this is a process I want to continue in Christ Jesus my Lord;  and I hope you do to.


Prayer:  Dear Father, I pray you will help us to understand Your word more deeply and apply it to our lives.  Thank you for loving us, even in our weakness and afflictions.  You, oh God, are all that we need.  You are glorious.  In Jesus Christ's Name, I pray.  Amen.

All Scripture taken from the King James Version
Public Domain