A favorite turn of phrase by John in his first epistle is “by this”, the NKJ version’s interpretation of the Greek preposition “en”. For example:
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3). The Greek word is translated “hereby”, “in this”, “this is how” in other translations. The Christian Standard Bible makes the meaning plain, though the construction is awkward, “This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments.” The amplified Bible (more of a commentary) explains it well. “And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). So, the idea is that the Greek preposition “en” is the means by which something is accomplished (in this case knowing). If we keep God’s commandments, we can know that we have a personal relationship with God.
Now, consider the other examples:
“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 2:5-6). Again, an indication of the necessity of obedience. It is in keeping the word of God that we are assured of our relationship with Him.
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16). We can substantively know what love is by examining the example of the Christ who laid down his life for us. There is no doubt about the nature and extent of that love that God requires of us.
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 John 3:18-20). Another reference to obedience and love, a correct practice of this gives us great assurance. We need not doubt our standing if we do what God requires. He is the omniscient, trustworthy One who has promised it to us.
“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God” (1 John 4:2). This is a clear affirmation of Jesus as the Anointed of God. He is the chosen One. Some may look to another savior. If they do so they are hopelessly lost. It is not a matter of whether one religion is as good as another. It is a question of Who God chose to save the entire world. If we confess that Jesus is the Christ, come to save mankind, we confess what is taught by the Spirit of God.
“We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6). God has determined to save man by the gospel of Jesus Christ. That gospel falls upon some good hearts and some evil hearts. This is easy for us to distinguish. What matters is whether our message is heard and heeded! As Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” People who do not believe in Jesus Christ have embraced error, not truth.
“No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit” (1 John 4:12-13). We acknowledge that we have never seen God. He is a Spirit. Paul expressed to Timothy the unapproachable nature of God to fleshly man, “Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to Whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:16). But we can know whether we abide in God. He has given us His Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God’s will. This He has done. So, we have a standard to follow. If we do as the Spirit reveals, we abide in God. A simple, objective standard!
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:2-3). Here it is again, one of John’s repeated themes. Obedience is what separates us. It is that which brings sanctification, a presence with God. In truth, it is closely tied to the idea of true love. Jesus said the same, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
We can know! We can know if we know Him; we can know if we are in Him; we can know love through Christ’s example; we can know if we are of the truth; we can know the Spirit of God; we can know the difference between truth and error; we can know if we abide in God; we can know if we love God’s children. We thank God that He has given us objective truths to establish whether these things are so. Wouldn’t it be horrible is we couldn’t know for sure? If it was subjective? Maybe yes or maybe no? But it is not. The world wants you to think that salvation is unknowable or discerned emotionally. It is truly a matter of hearing and submitting to God!
