February 18

1 John 2:5

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

We live in an age that some have called “easy believism,” by which they refer to those that have notions and ideas about the Gospel and Christ, but who have never repented and believed in Him unto the saving of the soul. It is easy to have good feelings when you hear a song or a sermon, but this should not be confused with actually committing your soul to Jesus by faith in His saving work on the cross. The true test is in today’s verse. But “whoso KEEPS HIS WORD, in him verily is the love of God perfected” : hereby know we that we are in him. That is the way you can distinguish between true believers and those that merely have sentimental or notional ideas about God. TRUE FAITH RESULTS IN KEEPING HIS WORD, that is, OBEDIENCE.

So true faith results in keeping His word. Now here is a vital point. We are not saved BECAUSE we keep His word, but we keep His word BECAUSE we are saved and God has worked regeneration and life into our hearts. Then AFTER we are saved, we keep His Word because He dwells in us and causes us to bring forth fruit unto righteousness. So we don’t keep His word in order to be saved, but because we already are saved. Thank you Lord for a free salvation in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

"...what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30