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Capturing - 1 John 2:3-4

Well, in other scriptures the Lord speaks of our reception after we have died where he might tell us he doesn't know us. This scripture seems to explain how He will either know us or not know us. If we don't know him, then I would say chances are good He will not know us in that sense.

Now, I realize He knows all of us, but I am referring to whether or not we benefit from His atonement. Are we His followers or not? We can all verbally claim to be. We can all say we know Him, but what do our actions show? Actions speak louder than words.

If we truly know Him as our Savior, then we will live as he has taught we should. If we say we know Him, but that knowledge doesn't change us, then do we really know Him?

If we say we are His followers, but we don't follow His teachings then either we are outright lying or we are deceived. Either way, the truth truly is not in us.

Now, I want to say I don't think this scripture means only those who keep the commandments perfectly know Him. If that were the case, we wouldn't need Him. If we could live the commandments perfectly, there would be no need for the atonement.

However, I do believe we must honestly do our best to live His teachings. We must do our best to obey the commandments. If we do that, then we are showing that we know Him. If we know Him, He knows us and we will be "saved" by His grace through the atonement.

Edited: funbikerchick on 29th Aug, 2005 - 10:35am

- John Capturing

I remember hearing someone tell me once to always remember the three D's. Decisions determine destiny. I thought of that as I read this scripture. By deciding to follow the commandments of God, we are determining our destiny.

It is only by following the commandments that we begin to understand and know God. We begin to feel his presence in our lives more often by following his commandments. I don't believe anyone has come nearer to God by disobeying his commandments.

Many people, as this scripture states, claim to know God. I know quite a few people who claim to know God, yet they cannot follow the simple commandment that says to keep the Sabbath day holy or to not take the name of God in vain. It is this type of scenario that really puts the second part of this scripture into perspective for me.