Practical discipleship is about knowing the God of Light (Part Four)

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Expositor & Teacher. The goal of discipleship is that of knowing the God of Light (1 John 2:3-11). John says, (4) “The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; (5) but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him” (1 John 2:4-5). According to verse four, a believer might claim such intimate knowing without the keeping (obedience) that goes with it. John says this person “is a liar, and the truth is not him.” In other words, the truth isn’t in this believer as an active and controlling force that shapes his thoughts and attitudes. The keeping of God’s commandments is what practical discipleship is all about! The keeping of God’s commandments directly relates to intimately knowing Him! In verse five, what does it mean to have God’s love perfected in us? The believer who “keeps His Word” has a special experience of “the love of God.” The Greek word “perfected” means to “bring to its goal,” “bring to completion.” The goal of God’s love is not brought to completion until the believer returns that love by the keeping of God’s commandments, with the result that he knows the deeply personal love of God. Be encouraged!