When my kids and my nieces and nephew were young, we would all troop over to Grandma Camp for a week of VBS, fun activities and yummy food. It was a time to get to know my nieces and nephews so much better. Five days. We all have such fond memories of learning the dances to the songs, going on scavenger hunts, pools, bike rides.
One thing that has always made me smile is a conversation I will never forget with one of my nieces. I think my Mom asked if anyone had asked Jesus into their hearts. I think that is how the conversation started. One of my nieces said, oh, I ask Jesus in my heart everyday so I’m sure to have Jesus in my heart everyday.
Still makes me smile, and after a bit of untangling that sweet moment, I hope and pray she knows Jesus is always with her.
In this passage from 1 John 2, the word “know” is repeated four times. Let me share and then we will dissect.
“And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.”
1 John 2:3-6 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1jn.2.3-6.AMP
This is how we know. We have assurances. We have confidence. We can trust. I love this here. We know DAILY, by experience. This reminder is such blessing. Our desire is to understand the Lord and be more deeply acquainted with Him. How do we do this? We love him by keeping his precepts. We hear his teachings and…
“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.”
James 1:19-21 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/jas.1.19-21.AMP
Walk in a manner worthy. Run in a manner that actively strives to remove uncleanness. This process can’t be done in our own way. We slow down to hear, rather than speak. We slow down to observe, rather than respond immediately. We recognize the anger, We recognize the words we use and have been used against us. We allow the truth of God’s word to dwell in our hearts, whether by memorizing or putting the word on notecards in front of our faces. We dwell differently.
As I look to the day ahead, there are huge opportunities to do the complete opposite of what I have said here. This is my daily struggle. And my prayer. Lord, help me walk in a manner worthy. Help me in my unbelief. I struggle so much with the things of this world. Do people know I love him? May it be so.
I’m not there yet, but I am so grateful that our Lord is with me. I look to today. Not looking too far ahead or behind me. I run this race.
“But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure [from this world] is at hand and I will soon go free. I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:5-8 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/2ti.4.5-8.AMP
Amen.
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