1 John 1 (KJV): 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Jn 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.
1 Jn 3: 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
I really enjoy John’s epistles. He is definitely the Apostle of love. In the Old Testament the law was given and there were around 613 commandments. Not all of them applied to everyone. Some applied only to priests and other groups. But there were plenty for everybody.
When Jesus was asked what He thought the most important commandment was, He replied essentially that we should love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and the second most important was like unto it – that we should love our neighbor as ourselves.
Doing what God wants shows you love God and doing to your neighbor only what you would want done to you shows you love your neighbor. The first four imperatives of the 10 Commandments are from us to God and the last six are from us to our neighbor. Amazingly enough – loving God and loving our neighbor will fulfill the whole law as James tells us. Once again, we see the secret to success in the Christian life… learn to love God – and His commandments will not be burdensome. Remember – God gave His own life for us – and we love Him primarily because He first loved us. Two commandments – love God and love your neighbor.
