"He that saith, I
know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
him.” The particular design of these verses is to take forth the precious from the vile. In them the apostle describes
one of the vital differences which there is between the sheep and the goats. Of
the latter it is said, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny
him” (Ti 1:16). They adopt the same language as the saints, believe the same
doctrines, claim to be resting on the finished work of Christ, and are quite
sure of their sal- vation; yet evince little or no concern for His precepts.
They talk glibly, but walk carelessly. This is exceedingly solemn, for those
who tread not in the way of God’s precepts are strangers to Him. A man
spiritually knows no more than he practices, for spiritual knowledge is radical
and influential. It exerts both a restraining and a constraining power, causing
its subject to loathe and shun evil and to love and pursue that which is good.
Therefore they who keep not God’s commandments have no experiential
acquaintance with Him. “We cannot know Him as Lord and Father, without being
dutiful children and obedient servants” (Calvin)."
~Arthur Pink, "Exposition of John's First Epistle"
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