"And hereby we do know that we know him..." 1 John 2:3a

Can you say without hesitance, "I know that I know him?" John expounds with stark, unveiling clarity in this passage what it means to really know Christ.

1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

     4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

     5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

     6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Such comfort and grace is ours as we follow Christ in obedience. Satan's onslaught of doubts and discouragement can be warded off in our declaration of truth: "I know that I know Him, for I have kept His commandments". Hereby are we identified with Christ. We are one of His own and that knowledge gives us boldness in our battles against Satan. When our love and obedience are perfect, Satan has no claim upon us. We are none of his.

If you feel discouraged and doubtful of your profession, examine your obedience. Are you paying the vows you have made with God? Is there any place in your life that you reserve to yourself or are you obeying Christ with reckless abandon of your own will? If you discover a lack, the opportunity is yours to secure the breach and recover that peaceful state in which you can say with full assurance, "I know that I know Him."