1 John 2:4-5 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him.

John was not politically correct, any more than Jesus was. He spoke and wrote the truth in love, regardless of whether people might be offended. These days, calling someone a liar is a big no-no! However, consistent with the whole rest of the Bible, John says the proof of the pudding is in the eating; how you act either validates or invalidates your words. This is the point James makes in his whole letter, which made Martin Luther call it a “book of straw,” because he was fixated on “by faith alone.” However, genuine faith will act, and as John says here, those who genuinely know God will be obedient to Him. This is why Jesus clashed so strongly with the Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses: they focused on the right words, without having congruent actions. (Matthew 23:3) Confessing that Jesus is your Lord, on the basis of believing that He died for you and rose again, is indeed the basis of salvation, (Romans 10:9) but if that is indeed true, then you will start acting like it from that point forward. The problem is, none of us follow through perfectly, which is why repentance is an ongoing necessity. The devil loves to tell us, “You did that, so you’re not a real Christian.” (After all, Satan means “accuser.”) However, that’s usually just another of his lies. It is when we settle into habitual sin and it doesn’t bother us that we’re in real trouble. That doesn’t mean at all that we’re to excuse our sins. They nailed Jesus to the cross. How could we excuse them? However, as John famously wrote in this very letter, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) We are works in progress, but if our commitment is real, we can trust the Master Craftsman to complete the job, as Paul wrote to the Philippians (Philippians 1:6) and as he claimed for himself. (2 Timothy 1:12)

I am very regularly confronted with my own imperfection. However, just this morning the Lord pointed out to me that the more I focus on myself and all my imperfections, the more down I get. But, the more I focus on Him, the happier I get! I have no doubts about my own salvation, but I find I long more and more for the day of its completion, when I stand unspotted before my Lord. I’m not at all to give up on life here and now; indeed it is filled with blessings. That said, I get tired of all the hassles of it all. That’s why the Lord had to remind me this morning to focus on Him! I am to remember at all times that His plans are good, and rest, relax, and rejoice in Him.

Father, thank You for these reminders. I certainly need them from time to time. I have much less tolerance for busyness than I once had. Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You regardless of what is going on around me and the part I am to have in it, so that Your will may be done in and through me on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!