An Absent Word

The one who says, "I have come to know Him," without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. - 1 John 2:4

I love God's Word and while there may be some passages or verses that are difficult to understand, most are plain in their intent or meaning. When I first moved to Africa, in an effort to strengthen my language skills, I began doing my daily Bible study in French. Even in a language that was not yet my own, God's Word proved to be clear, precise, and often convicting. One great example of such clarity, precision, and conviction is the verse for today.

What do you do with this? Is it true? Of course, it is. A person should not claim to know God while living a life of consistent disobedience to His commandments. Yet, in spite of this truth, I have pastored a few people who have made that very claim and also lived such lives. Again, I am not advocating sinless perfection, just that God in Christ certainly requires our desired obedience.

God's Word is truth and for some who claim to know His Son, this truth is absent from their lives. Perhaps, it is because His Word is absent as well.

A liar begins with making falsehood appear like truth, and ends with making truth itself appear like falsehood. - William Shenstone