“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” – 1 John 2:6 

Scripture reading: 1 John 2:3-6; John 14:19-24

When the Bible speaks about knowledge, there is a difference between knowing something in theory and actually knowing something intimately.  The key difference between the two is that something known intimately will actually change the way a person lives.  John has been dealing with the theme of fellowship with God.  Simply put, he is reminding us here that anyone who truly knows God, will obey that which God says in His Word – he will obey His commandments.

The tendency sometimes, when we think about obeying the commandments of God, is to think that this is something that we must do on our own strength.  It is interesting that John never approaches the issue of obedience in this way.  Instead, he is reminding us that even our faithful following of God’s commands can only come as we abide in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We must first ensure that we are walking by faith in Jesus before we can ever hope to walk as Jesus walked.  Obedience is an indication of a heart that is in fellowship with God through Jesus.  If you are struggling with obedience issues today, the solution begins by renewing your faith in the Lord Jesus.  Faithful action in the Christian life is rooted in fellowship with God.  We will more and more desire to obey the God that we love.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that the Lord would give you fresh eyes of faith to see clearly our risen Redeemer.  Pray that all your actions today would flow out of love for your King and that you would eagerly seek to obey His every word.

Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.