How do we know we know Jesus? The Apostle John makes it clear: “This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands.” (1 John 2:3 CSB). John doesn’t say we know Christ because we keep his commands; he says “we know that we know him if we keep his commands.”
In other words, if we know Jesus, there will be evidence in our lives we are striving to do what he says. That will put us at odds with the world, the flesh, and the devil – but in tune with God. Faith and love for Christ will make us want to take up our cross and follow Jesus.
Knowing and loving Jesus will manifest itself in several ways according to John’s letter to the church. We will walk in the light of Christ, and as a result, remain in fellowship with other believers. When we ‘walk in the light and not the dark’ we will confess our sins instead of constantly trying to hide or ignore them. We will love our brothers and sisters in Christ and not hate them. (John 1:6-9 CSB) The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life lose their appeal as we draw closer and closer to the likeness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Heaven – not the world is our home, so we strive to be more like Jesus and do His will. (John 2:15-17 CSB) “Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure.” (John 3:2-3 CSB)