Do you have a heart that cares to keep the Word of God? Are you intentional to repent (turn from your sins) and walk in God’s better ways as defined in His Word?

If so, this is evidence of fellowship with God and salvation in your life —“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him” (1 John 2:5)

If you don’t have a desire to keep God’s Word, you should question your relationship with Him. Is it real saving faith?

I’ve talked about this before, but it’s so important.

We’ve heard it said, “Don’t trust a religion for eternity that has never changed your life.”

What does that even mean??

The Enduring Word commentary explains it this way—

“Mark it, when one becomes a Christian, there is a change in his relationship with sin. Sin is not eliminated in the believer until he comes to glory, but his relationship to sin is changed when he truly become a Christian.

· A Christian no longer loves sin as he once did.

· A Christian no longer brags about his sin as he once did.

· A Christian no longer plans to sin as he once did.

· A Christian no longer fondly remembers his sin as he once did.

· A Christian never fully enjoys his sin as he once did.

· A Christian no longer is comfortable in habitual sin as he once was.

“The Christian no longer loves sin; it is the object of his sternest horror: he no longer regards it as a mere trifle, plays with it, or talks of it with unconcern… Sin is dejected in the Christian’s heart, though it is not ejected. Sin may enter the heart, and fight for dominion, but it cannot sit upon the throne.” (Spurgeon)

Let me put it this way, we may step in sin as believers but if we can walk in it as a habit or lifestyle then we may only have a head knowledge of Jesus Christ and not a saving relationship.

Sin should be as attractive to us as dog poop. We should not be happy to keep walking in it!

Will we step right in it sometimes? Yes-sometimes. But if we can walk in it without thinking it stinks, we may very well not be a Christian.

We should have a desire to walk away from sin.

And this desire not to walk in sin, should compel us to seek the Lord and His ways with all our heart, mind and strength—for our good and His glory!

Again, we need Jesus to do more than “get us”, we need Him to save us from our sins to walk in newness of life!

John tells us, “By this we know we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought to himself walk just as He walked.” (I John 2:5B-6)

We turn from our ways (repent) to practice righteousness and walk in His better ways!

Are you walking in God’s better ways? Why not spend some time today asking God to show you any sin in your life? Remember, it’s out of God’s goodness that He will lead us to repentance (Rom 2:4).

read1John

Note – this is a continuation of my study of 1 John. Go to this page on Facebook or kimjaggers.com to see other posts on this wonderful book of the Bible.