John is called “The Disciple of Love.” He always writes with relationships in mind. What you think of God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is most important (John 4:23-24; 5:24; 8:23-24; 14:1-6, 15-27). John would emphasize that your knowledge of God must result in a powerful, living, saving, life-changing relationship (John 17:3; I John 5:10-13, 19-21).

John’s Gospel does not just give us a mere narrative of events and teachings. He gives a digest of word pictures so that you can know Christ in a very real and personal way (John 1:1-3,14; 3:14-16; 6:35; 8:12; 10:1-11). He also makes it clear that some people know about God, but do not actually know God (John 3:9-12; 5:37-47; 8:30-59). John’s writings reveal a stark contrast between those who have a loving relationship with the truth and those who are living a lie (John 3:18-21: I John 1:5-10; 3:5-10; 4:20; 5:10-12). Let’s investigate that contrast by examining I John 2:3-5.

The Listener – I John 2:3 In Chapter one John states his purpose for writing the book. He wants people to be able to establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the Word of God (I John 1:1-4 cp. I John 5:10-13). The apostles were given a personal relationship (“fellowship” = “partnership”) with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. John is showing that we can have this same fellowship through the writings of the Apostles [i.e. The New Testament] and the Scriptures of the Old Testament. See I John 1:1-3 cp. 2:12-28; 4:1-6,13. This partnership is based on an honest relationship with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To “confess” is to agree with God (I John 1:5 – 2:2).

So, we are to “keep his commandments” (I John 2:3). This is not a prescription to merely obey a list of rules. No one can make any claim to sinless perfection (I John 1:10 – 2:1). To “keep” means to “take heed.” We are to reverence, cherish, and pay close attention to what God says in His Word (I John 1:8; 3:23-24; 4:21 – 5:3 cp. John 10:1-5, 27-29; Romans 6:17-18; 7:14 – 8:6; 16:25-27; I Peter 1:22-23; II John 1-4; III John 3-4; Psalm 119:59.

The Liar – I John 2:4 By contrast, John says that if we have no regard for what God says, our profession of faith is empty and vain. We are lying if we say that we know and love God but do not care to obey Him (Titus 1:16; Matthew 7:21-27; 15:7-9; Luke 6:46-49; John 3:19-21; 14:15; 15:12-14 cp. I John3:18). Note: I John 3:5-10 is referring to the continual practice of righteousness rather than the continual practice of sin.

The Love Life – I John 2:5 The secret to obedience is love – supreme love to God and love to our fellow man, especially our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. See Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:8-10; I Corinthians 13:1-8; Galatians 5:6; 6:7-10; I Timothy 1:5; James 1:12; I Peter 1:22; 2:17; I John 4:7 – 5:3; Deuteronomy 6:4-6.