In the context of 1 John, he is not speaking of a single commandment or teaching salvation by works. John is describing the evidence that proves a person truly knows Jesus: obedience, the fruit of genuine faith, not the cause of salvation.

John explains what he means throughout the letter: Believe in Jesus Christ

John identifies faith in Jesus as a fundamental commandment:

“This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another…” (1 John 3:23)

The first command is to place our trust in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and Savior.

Love One Another

John repeatedly emphasizes love as the most important command:

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God…” (1 John 4:7)

“He who loves his brother remains in the light…” (1 John 2:10)

Jesus said:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you…” (John 13:34)

For John, love is one of the clearest evidences of genuine conversion.

Walk as Jesus Walked

Immediately after 1 John 2:3, John writes:

“He who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.” (1 John 2:6)

The genuine follower of Jesus is called to imitate His life of holiness, humility, obedience, truthfulness, and love.

Turn Away from Sin

John repeatedly states that those who know God do not continue living in unrepentant sin:

“No one who remains in him sins. No one who sins has seen him or knows him.” (1 John 3:6)

“Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous…” (1 John 3:7)

John is not teaching sinless perfection (1 John 1:8-10 acknowledges believers still sin), but rather that a believer does not make sin the pattern and practice of his life.

Keep God’s Moral Commands

John’s readers would have understood that Jesus affirmed the moral law of God:

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Jesus summarized God’s moral requirements in two great commandments:

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ … ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Everything else flows from these two.

What Does John Mean in 1 John 2:3? When John writes:

“And by this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3)

He is describing the marks of a true believer:

1. Believing in Jesus Christ.
2. Loving fellow believers.
3. Walking as Jesus walked.
4. Turning from sinful practices.
5. Obeying God’s moral will.
6. Continue to persevere in truth.
7. Never leave Jesus.

John’s concern is not whether a person can perfectly obey every command. His concern is whether a person’s life demonstrates a sincere desire to obey Christ.

This is why he immediately adds:

“He who says, ‘I know him,’ and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him.” (1 John 2:4)

The test is not perfection, but direction. A true follower of Jesus may stumble, but the overall direction of his life is toward Christ, righteousness, obedience, and love. That is the evidence, John says, that gives assurance a person truly knows Jesus.

Categories: Robert Clifton Robinson