Today in our Rooted in Christ we are going to look at the World in Front fo the Text of 1 John 2:1-17, specifically verses 7-17.  What do these verses have to teach us about how we should be living our lives today?

One of the verses that especially strikes me is verse 9, where it says that if we say we are in the light, yet we hate a fellow brother or sister, then we are actually in the darkness.  For John we see that the proof is in the pudding, it is not about what we say we believe, or do, about Jesus, but it is what our lives actually live out.  We say that we love God, are a Christian, or are in God’s will, but the fruit of our lives shows us not doing the things that we are commanded to do, then our words are not true and we remain in darkness.

Let me clear about what I feel like this passage is teaching, at least to me. I think for so long we have made the Christian faith about simply “believing” something.  If we say we believe it, then that is all that matters, and everything is perfectly ok. Here’s the deal, I just don’t think that is what scripture is teaching us.  Scripture over and over again talks about obeying, following, keeping His commandments.  We know that we are saved by grace through faith, yes.  But that grace that saves us must be manifest within the living our lives. If it is not lived out fully, boldly, joyfully, and lovingly, is it really there?

We are called to believe, yes. But how is that belief lived out? Through keeping His commands and following Him.

So, today, the question is not what do you believe. The question is how is that belief lived out in your life?  That is what matters the most.  Is Jesus Lord of our lives? If so, how is His Lordship made know through how we live?

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