How can we practically apply "keep His commandments" in our daily lives? Tracing the Call to Obedience “By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3) John links genuine knowledge of Christ with day-to-day obedience. Scripture never treats obedience as optional: it is the family resemblance of those who belong to God. Why Keeping Commands Matters • Assurance of salvation – obedience provides the evidence that faith is real (1 John 2:5). • Expression of love – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) • Freedom, not burden – “His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3) • Witness to the world – good works cause others to “glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) What Commandments Are in View? • Direct teachings of Jesus (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5–7). • Moral law summarized in the two great commands: love God wholly; love neighbor sacrificially (Matthew 22:37-40). • Apostolic instructions that unpack Christ’s words for church life (Ephesians 4–6; Colossians 3–4). The entire canon speaks with one voice; no part is discarded (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Moving from Knowledge to Action 1. Read – daily intake of Scripture (Psalm 119:105). 2. Reflect – ask “What does this reveal about God and what must change in me?” 3. Repent – turn from anything Scripture exposes (Proverbs 28:13). 4. Rely – walk by the Spirit, who empowers obedience (Galatians 5:16). 5. Repeat – obedience becomes a lifestyle, not a one-time event. Daily Rhythms That Keep His Commandments Morning • Open the Word before phone or news. • Pray Psalm 119:34: “Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law.” • Choose one directive from the reading and write a one-sentence plan to live it out today. Throughout the Day • Guard speech – let “no unwholesome talk” escape (Ephesians 4:29). • Practice honesty – refuse even small compromises (Proverbs 12:22). • Show kindness – look for the unnoticed person and serve (Philippians 2:4). • Keep short accounts – confess sin as soon as conviction comes (1 John 1:9). Evening • Review the day with Psalm 139:23-24. • Thank God for every enabling of obedience noticed. • Note areas of failure, receive cleansing, plan concrete change for tomorrow. Obedience in Relationships Marriage & Family • Love sacrificially (Ephesians 5:25). • Show parental nurture, not provocation (Ephesians 6:4). Church • Submit to leaders who teach the Word (Hebrews 13:17). • Exercise spiritual gifts to build others up (1 Peter 4:10). Neighbors & Enemies • Seek reconciliation quickly (Matthew 5:23-24). • Pray for persecutors, repay evil with good (Romans 12:17-21). Obedience in Thought Life • Take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). • Meditate on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely (Philippians 4:8). • Renounce fantasies of sin before they root (James 1:14-15). Obedience in Work and Finances • Work “as unto the Lord” with integrity (Colossians 3:23-24). • Give firstfruits generously and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). • Refuse greed; be content with what God provides (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Obedience in Leisure and Media • Choose content that glorifies God (Psalm 101:3). • Sabbath rest: cease from ordinary labor to remember His finished work (Exodus 20:8-10; Hebrews 4:9-10). • Use free time for hospitality and encouragement, not only personal entertainment (Romans 12:13). Depending on the Spirit, Not Mere Willpower • “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22-23). • Yielding to Him aligns desires with God’s commands, making obedience joyful rather than forced. A Life That Confirms We Know Him Continual, Spirit-empowered obedience is the ordinary path of every believer. As we keep His commandments hour by hour, 1 John 2:3 moves from ink on a page to a living testimony: we truly know Him—and the world sees Him in us. |
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