DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCOMPLETE IN ‘KNOWING THE LORD’?

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

MEDITATION:
Have you ever known someone who wanted to join a club or organization
and began trying to change all the rules? Changing the rules could be a
good thing, or it could disrupt the purpose of the club or organization.

However, knowing and belonging to the Lord does not work like that. God
established His laws and man does not have the luxury of changing them.
If we want to ‘know Him’, we must accept and obey His commands. We can
convince ourselves that we know Him and promote ourselves as Christians,
but the scriptures tells us that when we live in opposition to His commands,
we are classified as liars.
    Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do
    what he commands is a liar, and the truth is
    not in that person.
    (1 John 2:4)
We are also identified as someone who cannot be trusted
because ‘the truth is not in that person’.

Conversely, if we obey His commands,
we prove that our love for God is real and we are ‘in Him’.
    But if anyone obeys his word, love for God
    is truly made complete in them. This is how
    we know we are in him:
    (1 John 2:5)

How do we accomplish obedience to His commands? We develop
a mindset similar to the one of Jesus, and when we do, we learn
to live in the same manner as He did.
    In your relationships with one another,
    have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
    (Philippians 2:5)

    Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
    (1 John 2:6)

Sounds like radical changes are in order doesn’t it? Well,
fundamental and essential changes are required if we want
to ‘know the Lord’. Some choose to live by their own rules
and convince themselves they belong to the Lord, but Jesus
says they will discover the error of their ways when it is too
late to correct them.
    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
      enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who
      does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many
      will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
      prophesy in your name and in your name drive out
      demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
      Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away
      from me, you evildoers!’
      (Matthew 7:21-23)

ACTION:
God loves you and His desire is for you to love Him too. The scriptures
give us information for assessing our love and commitment to Him. If
you feel your love for Him is incomplete and you do not know Him, then
make the necessary changes in your life to obey His commands and not
yours.

Remember, we can disobey by failing to avoid the things that
displease Him, but we can also disobey by ignoring the things
that do please Him (attending worship with other believers,
tithing, loving others, etc.).

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for failing to obey Your commands
and for adjusting them to fit my selfish desires. Your Word is true
and doesn’t lie, so I believe it when it says that my love for You will
be complete when I obey Your commands. It is a struggle for me
at times, but You have given me the Holy Spirit to assist me in my
efforts to obey You. Help me to give Him more control in my life
and to accept Your will over my will.”

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