Do you know the risen Jesus? | Westside Eagle Observer

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 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 he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:3-6

Many claim to be Christians and followers of Jesus Christ but not all who make such claims know Jesus. Some are hypocrites and some deceive themselves into thinking they are Christian when, in fact, they are impenitent and do not trust in Jesus and His blood shed upon the cross for cleansing and everlasting life.

God's Word teaches us that we can know whether we truly know and trust in Christ Jesus as our Savior by our attitude toward Jesus' word and commandments: "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 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."

The one who knows and trusts in Jesus for forgiveness of sins and life everlasting will gladly and willingly obey His commandments. This desire to obey God's Word is evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit and of the new nature created in believers which loves God and desires to serve Him. Of course, as John wrote in the first chapter (1:5-10), believers are not without sin in this world and cannot claim to be sinless and holy of themselves, for they still have their old sinful nature inherited from Adam which balks at and resists living in accord with the Word of God. True believers continue to confess their sins and receive God's mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus (cf. 1:9; 2:1-2).

Nevertheless, believers can see evidence of their regeneration in their new-found love for God and in their desire to keep the words and commandments of Jesus. Those who come to know the great love of God in sending His Son to suffer and die for our sins and the sins of the whole world are moved to love Him in return for providing salvation for lost sinners.

If we continue to trust in Jesus as our Savior -- if we acknowledge our sinfulness and look to Jesus' shed blood for pardon and life everlasting -- we will, as a fruit of that faith, seek to conform our lives to His. We will seek to live and conduct ourselves as Jesus did in this world -- in obedience to God the Father, with utmost respect for God's Word and with love toward lost sinners.

"He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."

Jesus, our Savior, You have redeemed us and all mankind from sin by Your atoning sacrifice upon the cross, and You have graciously brought us to know Your great love and mercy toward us in shedding Your blood to cleanse us from all sin. Grant that we grow ever deeper in the knowledge of You and Your love for us and so move us in return to love You and gladly obey Your commandments Amen.

Editorial on 04/22/2015