Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of obedience in knowing God? Starting Point: 1 John 2:4—A Matter of Truth and Lies “If anyone says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Jesus’ Own Words: Obedience Proves Love and Brings Revelation • John 14:21 — “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” • John 14:23–24 — “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word… Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words.” • John 15:10 — “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” • Luke 6:46 — “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say?” • Matthew 7:21–23 — “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father in heaven… I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!” Echoes in John’s Letters: Assurance Tied to Action • 1 John 2:3 — “By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.” • 1 John 2:5 — “Whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God has been perfected.” • 1 John 3:6 — “No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning… whoever continues to sin has not seen Him or known Him.” • 1 John 3:24 — “The one who keeps God’s commandments remains in God, and God in him.” • 1 John 5:2-3 — “By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” • 2 John 1:6 — “And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.” Paul, Peter, James, and Hebrews: Obedience Marks Real Faith • Romans 2:13 — “It is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.” • Titus 1:16 — “They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him.” • Hebrews 5:9 — “He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” • James 1:22 — “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” • 1 Peter 1:14-15 — “As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance, but just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” Old Testament Foundations: Knowing the LORD through Obedience • Deuteronomy 11:1 — “Love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.” • 1 Samuel 15:22 — “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Obedience is better than sacrifice.” • Jeremiah 22:16 — “He pled the cause of the poor and needy… Is that not what it means to know Me? declares the LORD.” • Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Threading the Verses Together • Knowing God is never separated from obeying God; the two march side by side throughout Scripture. • Jesus links obedience with love and intimacy (“reveal Myself,” “make Our home with him”). • John gives us a litmus test: continual obedience shows genuine knowledge of God; habitual disobedience exposes empty claims. • Paul, Peter, James, and the writer of Hebrews echo the same melody—true faith is expressed in surrendered action. • The Old Testament roots this truth deep in covenant history: to “know the LORD” is to heed His voice and reflect His character. Living It Out Today The pathway to deeper knowledge of God isn’t a secret formula; it’s the day-by-day choice to hear His Word and put it into practice. Obedience doesn’t earn His love—it reveals it, confirms it, and invites richer fellowship with the One we call Lord. |
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