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Read: 1 John 2:3-6
Listen: 1 John 2

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 1 John 2:3

John declares that authentic faith produces obedience. Those who truly belong to God listen to his voice and obey him. John states bluntly that anyone who claims to know Jesus but shows no interest in doing what he taught is a liar. There is no such thing as authentic faith without obedience. John gets even more specific, explaining that whoever claims to know Jesus must live as Jesus did. Authentic believers become more like Jesus throughout their lives. This transformation is supernatural evidence of salvation because becoming Christlike is impossible through human effort alone.

 

We can see God’s supernatural transforming work most clearly when he works against the grain of our sinful bent. Our obedience, combined with the Holy Spirit, equals transformation into Christlikeness. It’s God’s work when someone bent toward speaking harshly begins speaking with grace and kindness. We also see God’s transforming work in areas of brokenness. When anger is transformed into self-control, worry gives way to peace or when hatred gives way to love. The transformation of our sinful tendencies and our brokenness reveals the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

TODAY: Journal about how God has transformed you. Look back and identify areas where God has worked against your sinful bent or transformed your brokenness. Where have you seen movement from impatience to patience, harshness to gentleness, or other character changes that point to Christ’s work in you?