Let me ask you a question. “Do you know God?”
“You do? Wonderful! But, can I trust your answer? Do you really know God? You aren’t lying, are you? Can you prove that you really know God?
The above conversation would anger some, unsettle others. I understand that many would take offense at being asked such a question, and then having their affirmative response questioned or challenged. But, consider the following words from the pen of John the apostle.
“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).
This is what is called a litmus test. It is an objective standard, which, if met, is evidence that your claim is true. Many claim to know God, but they don’t keep His commandments. John says they are not being honest. It may be that they are fooling themselves. It may be they know they don’t “know” him and are only keeping up appearances. Regardless, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him” (4).
There are some commandments of God that people consider onerous. It is the fairly typical response of most individuals when they really investigate what the scriptures say God requires (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). Of course, they are mistaken. God’s burden is not heavy, it is light! Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). And yet, men feel that God demands too much.
Consider the response of Jesus’ disciples to His teaching on marriage and divorce. He said, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” His disciples responded, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry” (cf. Matthew 19:9-10). Today, a typical response when confronted with this teaching is, “Well, I believe that God wants me to be happy.” Such a one does not know God, no matter what claims he may make.
Jesus said that He is the only way to heaven (John 14:6), men who don’t know God say that there are many different ways to get there.
Paul said that we are all to speak the same thing, with no divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10-14), men who don’t know God say that the denominations that exist all please Him.
The Hebrew writer said that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25), men who don’t know God say that worship attendance is not needed to please Him.
Jesus said that willful worship that is not authorized in God’s word is vain (Matthew 15:7-9), men who don’t know God say they can worship God any way they want, and God is pleased.
Paul said that a woman is not to have authority over a man, but is to learn submissively (1 Timothy 2:11-12), men who don’t know God champion a woman’s right to preach and to serve as elders.
We could go on and on, but you get the picture. The claim to know God must be accompanied by submission to His will. Otherwise, the claim is a lie. You may be lying to others, or just lying to yourself, but the truth of the matter is settled. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” You say you know God. Are you being honest? Or are you a liar?
Photo by Tristan Schmurr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kewl/8742707669
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