Today’s Daily Bible Verse

1 John 2:3-6,

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

VERSE CONTEXT

The apostle John wrote this letter near the end of the first century, around A.D. 85–95, from Ephesus. By this time, Christianity had spread far beyond Jerusalem, and many believers were second-generation Christians who had never seen Jesus personally. The church was facing growing threats from false teachers, particularly those influenced by Gnosticism, a heretical belief that emphasized secret knowledge over faithful obedience. Gnostics claimed that salvation came through enlightenment rather than moral transformation, leading some to believe they could “know” Jesus without living like Him. John directly opposes this idea by stating that true knowledge of Jesus is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments.

John was writing to Christian communities who were in danger of being misled. Some false teachers were treating Jesus as a spiritual concept rather than a real, historical person whose life was meant to be the pattern for all believers. Others were reducing Jesus to a tool for salvation, claiming that as long as they acknowledged His death and resurrection, their personal conduct did not matter. This mindset stripped Jesus of His role as the model for Christian living. John refutes this by making obedience the defining mark of a true believer. To truly know Jesus means to live as He lived. Those who claim to know Him but refuse to follow His teachings are deceiving themselves and others.

The historical and social context of this passage is crucial. Unlike the early church, which had direct access to the apostles and firsthand witnesses of Jesus, many of John’s readers were relying on secondhand teachings. This made them vulnerable to distortions of the faith. John reminds them that Christianity is not just about intellectual assent but about transformation. The idea of knowing Jesus is not about possessing secret knowledge or using Him as a means to an end, but about walking in continuous fellowship with Him. The phrase “keep his commandments” does not mean legalistic rule-following but rather treasuring and obeying His words as a way of life.

John also introduces the concept of abiding in Christ, which means remaining in an ongoing, living relationship with Him. Abiding is not a passive state but an active commitment to follow Jesus’ example. The statement “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” establishes Jesus as the standard by which believers should measure their lives. Christianity is not just about securing eternal life but about becoming more like Christ every day. This passage challenges those who reduce faith to a transaction—believing in Jesus only to secure salvation—without embracing Him as the pattern for their existence.

John’s words directly confront the misconception that Jesus is merely a bridge to heaven rather than the model for living. Many people see Jesus as a lucky charm, something to invoke when they need protection, guidance, or blessing, but not as the example they are meant to follow. John makes it clear that this approach is false. True believers are not just those who acknowledge Jesus but those who walk as He walked. This passage serves as a corrective to shallow faith and emphasizes that Jesus is not just a means to an end—He is the way itself.

BROADER CONTEXT

The book of First John was written to clarify the true nature of Christian faith and to counter false teachings that had infiltrated the church. One of the primary issues John addressed was the growing influence of Gnosticism, a heretical belief system that separated spiritual knowledge from moral living. Gnostics claimed that salvation was achieved through enlightenment rather than through obedience to God’s commandments. This teaching led many to believe that they could claim to know Jesus without living in accordance with His example. John’s letter directly refutes this false notion, emphasizing that genuine faith in Christ is always accompanied by a transformed life.

Chapter 2 of First John builds upon the themes introduced in Chapter 1, where John declared that God is light and that those who claim fellowship with Him must walk in the light. In Chapter 2, John expands on what it means to truly know God, making it clear that knowing Him is inseparable from obeying Him. The verses leading up to today’s passage discuss Jesus as our advocate and propitiation for sins, reinforcing that while salvation is by grace, obedience is the evidence of genuine faith. John’s argument is that faith cannot be reduced to a simple acknowledgment of Jesus as Savior while ignoring His commands. Faith is demonstrated by action, and true believers will reflect the character of Christ in their lives.

The entire letter of First John focuses on the contrast between those who truly belong to Christ and those who only claim to follow Him. This is seen throughout the book, particularly in John’s repeated use of sharp distinctions such as light versus darkness, truth versus lies, and love versus hatred. These contrasts reinforce the idea that there is no middle ground in the Christian life—either a person walks as Jesus walked, or they do not truly know Him. This theme runs throughout the book and is especially pronounced in today’s passage, where John states that those who claim to know Christ but do not obey His commands are liars. This is a direct challenge to those who reduce Jesus to a mere mechanism for salvation rather than recognizing Him as the model for how they should live.

The broader context of First John chapter 2 also introduces a significant challenge to cultural Christianity. Many people profess faith in Jesus, yet their lives do not reflect obedience to His teachings. This chapter confronts that mindset head-on, making it clear that faith in Jesus is not just about believing in certain truths but about being transformed into His likeness. The idea that Jesus is merely a means to an end—whether that end is heaven, personal blessings, or moral security—is entirely inconsistent with John’s teaching. Instead, John presents Jesus as the very foundation and pattern for life itself.

John’s message remains just as relevant today as it was in the first century. Many people still treat Jesus as a tool for personal gain, rather than as the example they are called to follow. This can be seen in prosperity gospel teachings, where faith is often framed as a way to achieve health, wealth, or success. It is also evident in cultural Christianity, where people may attend church, participate in religious rituals, and claim faith in Christ, yet fail to live in obedience to Him. John’s letter makes it clear that such an approach is false. True Christianity is not about using Jesus to achieve personal goals; it is about conforming our lives to His.

This passage also fits within the broader theme of discipleship found throughout Scripture. Jesus Himself repeatedly emphasized that following Him requires more than just verbal acknowledgment. In Luke chapter 6 verse 46, He says, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” This aligns perfectly with John’s message that knowing Christ is proven by obedience. The entire message of First John reinforces the teaching of Jesus: faith without obedience is not genuine faith.

The larger biblical context also supports John’s message. Throughout Scripture, God has always required not just belief but faithful obedience. In Deuteronomy chapter 10 verse 12, Moses asks, “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul?” This Old Testament principle is echoed in the teachings of Jesus and now reaffirmed by John. Faith is not passive; it requires an active response.

In summary, the broader context of this passage in First John emphasizes that true faith in Jesus is inseparable from obedience to His commands. John wrote to correct the false belief that one could claim to know Jesus without walking in His ways. He makes it clear that Jesus is not merely a tool for salvation but the very pattern by which all believers must live. Those who truly abide in Him will reflect His character in their actions. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that Christianity is not about using Jesus as a means to an end—it is about becoming like Him in every way.

APPLICATION

Appreciating God’s Greatness

This passage reveals the greatness of God in His unwavering consistency. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God has never changed His standard—faith is always demonstrated by obedience. He does not merely ask for intellectual belief; He requires a transformed life. His greatness is displayed in the way He provides not only salvation through Christ but also the perfect example of how to live. God did not leave humanity without direction; He sent His Son as the model for what it means to walk in righteousness. In First John chapter 2 verses 3 through 6, we see that knowing God is not about possessing special knowledge or adhering to religious rituals but about truly abiding in Him. His greatness is evident in the way He calls believers to live as Jesus lived, demonstrating that true faith is an active, living relationship, not a mere acknowledgment of truth.

For the Believer

For believers, this passage is a call to examine their faith and ensure that it is more than just words. Many people claim to follow Christ, but John makes it clear that true discipleship is marked by obedience. The question every believer must ask is not just “Do I believe in Jesus?” but “Am I walking as He walked?” This passage confronts any tendency to reduce faith to a one-time decision or a mere intellectual agreement with Christian doctrine. Instead, it presents faith as an ongoing commitment to live as Jesus lived.

Believers must also recognize the danger of separating faith from obedience. Many churches emphasize belief in Jesus but fail to stress the necessity of living according to His example. John leaves no room for a passive or cultural Christianity. A true relationship with Jesus is evident in daily life. This passage challenges every believer to move beyond seeing Jesus as a means to an end and instead embrace Him as the model for how to live.

Call to Action

Believers must take tangible steps to align their lives with Christ’s example. This means evaluating daily choices, attitudes, and actions in light of Jesus’ teachings. Are we keeping His commandments? Are we demonstrating love, humility, and obedience as He did? The call to action is clear: if we claim to abide in Christ, we must walk as He walked. This requires intentional commitment—studying His Word, applying His teachings, and surrendering to His lordship in every area of life. Rather than treating Jesus as a tool for personal salvation or success, believers must actively follow His example in all things.

For the Unbeliever

For those who have not yet placed their faith in Christ, this passage challenges the idea that Christianity is simply about believing in certain facts about Jesus. Many people assume that as long as they acknowledge Jesus, they have secured their place in heaven, but John’s words challenge this assumption. Merely claiming to know Jesus is not enough—true faith is evidenced by obedience. This means that salvation is not about repeating a prayer or agreeing with Christian teachings but about entering into a relationship with Jesus that results in a transformed life.

The danger of viewing Jesus as just a means to an end is that it leads to an incomplete and ineffective faith. If someone only comes to Jesus for what He can provide—whether that be heaven, prosperity, or comfort—then they miss the true purpose of the gospel. Jesus calls people not just to believe in Him but to follow Him. This passage is an invitation for unbelievers to see Jesus not as a distant religious figure but as the very foundation for life itself.

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT

First John chapter 2 verses 3 through 6 provides a clear and challenging message: true faith in Jesus is not just about acknowledging His existence or agreeing with Christian beliefs—it is about living as He lived. Many people reduce Jesus to a concept, a figure they call upon in times of need, or a tool for securing salvation, but John makes it clear that such a faith is empty. Knowing Jesus means following Him, obeying Him, and patterning our lives after His.

This passage is a reminder that Christianity is not just about what we believe but about how we live. It is easy to claim to know Christ, but the evidence of that claim is found in obedience. Those who truly abide in Him will reflect His character, love, and righteousness. This is both a challenge and an encouragement. It challenges us to examine our faith honestly—are we living in obedience, or are we simply using Jesus as a means to an end? But it also encourages us because God has given us the perfect example to follow. We are not left to figure out faith on our own; we have Jesus as our model, and through Him, we have the strength to walk as He walked.

For those who struggle with their faith, wondering whether they truly know Jesus, this passage provides clarity. The evidence of knowing Him is found in a life of obedience. It does not mean perfection, but it does mean a sincere desire to follow Him, learn from Him, and reflect His ways. No one can claim to belong to Christ while disregarding His commandments. Jesus is not just a bridge to heaven—He is the foundation for our lives. True Christianity is not about using Him for salvation but becoming like Him in every way.

John’s message is just as urgent today as it was when he wrote it. The world offers many versions of Christianity—some that treat Jesus as a lucky charm, others that make Him into a self-help figure—but John strips all of that away. The truth is simple: if we claim to know Jesus, we must walk as He walked. That is the mark of genuine faith. That is the life to which every believer is called.

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YOU ARE LOVED, SO MUCH IN FACT THAT WE WANT YOU TO KNOW AND BE BELIEVERS OF BIBLICAL TRUTH.