It’s a matter of fact!
V24 n10
As Christians, the Bible tells us, and illustrates to us, how a person is to follow and pattern their life after the example that Jesus Christ set for us. The Bible tells us that we should walk as He walked, that we should talk as He talked. However, quite often when this is said or presented, there is a wide variety of responses from the people, and most often of the negative connotation.
John 14:12, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He
that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works
than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
KJV
Many will say that it is impossible for us to live as He lived. They will not only state that it is impossible, but that is quite impractical as well. Yet, the Word clearly tells us, that that which is impossible for man, is possible or attainable by and through God. Others will say that God does not expect people to live that way, that we should change with the times. Yet, the Word is clear to tell us, that we should be holy as He is holy. Still others will respond, that God knows their heart. Yes, God does know the heart. This is why the Word plainly tells us, that if one is not operating in Christ, “every imagination of the thoughts of the heart is only evil continually”. After all, it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. There cannot be blessings and cursing coming out of the same mouth (James 3:6-11). No matter how you look at it, no matter how you analyze it, Jesus Christ set the example for the Christian to follow or imitate, and this a matter of recorded fact!
Jesus
Christ tells us that if we love Him, we would keep or adhere to that which He
commanded to us. If in our hearts, one really believes His words, then they
would always try to do those things that would be pleasing to the Father.
John 15:10-11, 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye
shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide
in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain
in you, and that your joy might be full. KJV
Definition for commandments: 1785 entole (en-tol-ay'); from 1781; injunction, i.e. an
authoritative prescription: 1) an order, a command, a charge, a
precept, an injunction what is prescribed to one by reason of his office 2) a
commandment; a prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done 1) a
precept relating to lineage, of the Mosaic precept concerning the priesthood 2)
ethically used of the commandments in the Mosaic law or Jewish tradition.
As one can see from the definitions for the word “commandment”, that it is an authoritative prescription for spiritual health and well being. (3John 2). It is His word that God sent to us, to deliver us from our spiritual malady or sickness. (Ps 107:20). Yet, how often does one neglect or ignore His counsel, His prescription for spiritual health and well being? After all, it is a matter of life or death!
People often try to change or alter the Bible to fit or agree with their life or lifestyle. Yet, Jesus Christ tells us plainly that not one jot, nor one tittle shall be changed or altered, until all in God’s plan is fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18-20, Rev 22:18-19). One cannot change the Word of God to suit or please their lifestyle or agendas. God has set His laws and rules in motion, and will continue according to His plan and decree. (Ps 119:89-93). You can disagree with it all you want, but one must remember who it is that is yet sitting on the throne.
1 John 2:3-5, 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. KJV
Let us look at a few of Adam Clarke’s comments on the above verses.
[And hereby we do
know that we know him] If we keep the commandments of God, loving him with all
our heart, and our neighbour as ourselves, we have
the fullest proof that we have the true saving knowledge of God and his Christ.
The Gnostics pretended to much knowledge, but their knowledge left them in
possession of all their bad passions and unholy habits; they, therefore, gave
no proof that they had known either God or his Son Jesus Christ; nor is any man
properly acquainted with God, who is still under the power of his sins.
He that saith, I
know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him.
[He that saith, I know him] This is a severe blow against those false teachers, and against all pretenders to religious knowledge, who live under the power of their sins; and against all Antinomians, and false boasters in the righteousness of Christ as a covering for their personal unholiness. They are all liars, and no truth of God is in them. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
[But whoso keepeth his word] Conscientiously observes his doctrine,
the spirit and letter of the religion of Christ.
[Is
the love of God perfected] The design of God's love in
sending Jesus Christ into the world to die for the sin of man teteleiootai (grk 5048), is accomplished, in that man who receives the
doctrine, and applies for the salvation provided for him. This seems to be the
meaning of the apostle.
[That we are in him.] That we have entered into his spirit and views, received his salvation, have been enabled to walk in the light, and have communion with him by the Holy Spirit. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
As we continue with the next verse in this epistle, let us look at Wycliffe’s and Adam Clarke’s comments on this verse.
1
John 2:6, He that saith he abideth
in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
KJV
[He that saith].
To declare oneself on Christ's side binds one morally to imitate him. Abideth.
A favorite word with John, defined in <1 Jn
[Abideth in him] He
who not only professes to have known Christ, but also that he has communion
with him, and abides in his favour, should prove the
truth of his profession by walking as Christ walked; living a life of devotion
and obedience to God, and of benevolence and beneficence to his neighbour. Thus Christ walked; and he has left us an
example that we should follow his steps.
To be in Christ, <1 John 2:5>, is to be converted to the Christian faith, and to have received the remission of sins. To abide in Christ, <1 John 2:6>, is to continue in that state of salvation, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
Jesus Christ set the example (the way) that we too should walk, established by the truth of God’s Word, and this is the only way to eternal life. This is a matter of fact, as it is written in God’s Word. Even if you do not believe, it does not make the faith of God to be without affect. His Word will stand true.
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.
Larry Gazelka
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