One of the key words in 1 John is the word “know.” There are two Greek words used, and they refer to perception, understanding and experience. John is not speaking of that which we merely know in the mind, but of that which we know in the heart. For this knowledge comes out of relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and requires a work of the Holy Spirit that takes place in the heart. That is the context of the following statements, and they are not to be understood apart from faith in Jesus Christ:
- We know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. (1 John 2:3)
- We know all things because we have an anointing of the Holy Spirit. (1 John 2:20)
- We know the truth, and that no lie comes from the truth. (1 John 2:21)
- We know that He is righteous. (1 John 2:29)
- We know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. (1 John 2:29)
- We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)
- We know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. (1 John 3:5)
- We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. (1 John 3:14)
- We know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15)
- By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. (1 John 3:16)
- By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him, when we love in deed and truth. (1 John 3:19)
- By this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (1 John 3:24)
- By this we know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. (1 John 4:2)
- By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error: He who knows God knows us; he who is not of God does not hear us. (1 John 4:6)
- By this we now that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. (1 John 4:13)
- We have known and believed the love that God has for us. (1 John 4:16)
- By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. (1 John 5:2)
- We know that we have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
- If we ask anything according to His will, we know that He hears us. If we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14)
- We know that whoever is born of God does not sin, but keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (1 John 5:18)
- We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. (1 John 5:19)
- We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:20)
The most important question about knowing is this: Do you know Jesus? Have you been born again by His Spirit? He offers it to you: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). If you believe, then you will know.
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