The Importance of obeying Jesus's Rules
Now by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I have come to 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 claims to abide in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6, EMTV)
A1 Outline
B1 Do we obey? 1 John 2:3
B2 Two examples
C1 One claims to be a Christian but does not live Christ's commandments. 1 John 2:4
C2 One claims to be a Christian but does live Christ's commandment 1 John 2:5
B3 Summary--If we are Christians, we will obey. 1 John 2:6
A2 Notes
B1 Definitions
C1 Him--The Lord Jesus. See 1 John 2:1
C2 Keep
D1 The Greek word is τηρέω tereo.
D2 It means to guard, keep, fulfill, detain, maintain. The idea is watching something carefully in order to have it safe. It can apply to guards keeping a prisoner, keeping (guarding) our self, fulfilling an order or prophecy, keeping from satan and his ways, keeping the faith (not leaving the teachings of the Bible), and obeying (doing what is required). We use it similarly in the phrase "keeping the speed limit."
D3 From Thayer's Lexicon--SYNONYMS: τηρέω, φυλάσσω: τηρέω to watch or keep, φυλάσσω to guard; τηρέω expresses watchful care and is suggestive of present possession, φυλάσσω indicates safe custody and often implies assault from without; τηρέω may mark the result of which φυλάσσω is the means (e. g. John 17:12 where the words occur together... Our word is in bold. When I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You have given Me I guarded; and not one of them is lost except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
(John 17:12 EMTV)
C3 Commandments
D1 The Greek word is ἐντολή entole.
D2 It means rule, commandment. An absolute to obey given by an authority.
C4 Perfected
D1 The Greek word is τελειόω teleioo.
D2 It means to finish what we start, thus complete, finish, etc.
C5 Abide
D1 The Greek word is μένω meno.
D2 It means to remain, continue, endure. It has the idea of staying where we are, and in this case staying we are in doctrine and life as Jesus taught.
D3 Compare John 2:19, John 14:16, John 5:38, 2 Timothy 3:14, etc.
C6 Walk
D1 The Greek word is περιπατέω peripateo.
D2 It means to walk as in "I walked to the store," and to walk as live our life as in "I walk in the steps of my Father." It has the idea of our conduct and how we live our life.
D3 Matthew 4:18, John 6:66, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:12, etc.
B2 We need to do the walk as well as the walk. If we are truly a Christian, then we will life our life in accordance with God's rules.
B3 Cross references: John 8:31, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Matthew 10:37-39, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Matthew 10:25
A3 Questions
B1 What are His rules? (For a starter read Ephesians 5)
B2 Do you know anyone who says they are a Christian but don't live by Jesus's rules?
B3 Why do people want to call themselves a Christian but not live according to Jesus's rules?
B4 What does the love of God have to do with following His rules?
B5 Why should I follow God's rules?
B6 Isn't following God's rules legalism? (No, we do not obey those rules to get to heaven but because we love God and want to do them).
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