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The Imitation of Christ
Brian Mashburn
February 21, 2010
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How Can You Know?
It was well after bedtime, and all of my kids should have been asleep. But as I walked past Jakin’s room, through the closed door I could hear him talking to himself. I could tell he was looking at a book and listened long enough to know he was making up a story to go along with the pictures. I could also tell that he was over by his closet (probably for some light) and not in bed.
“Jakin…get in bed and go to sleep,” I said as I turned the corner into the living room and sat on the couch.
Silence.
“Jakin,” I bellowed, “I know you are not asleep and not in your bed. Get in bed and go to sleep.”
His door slowly cracked open and he peered around the corner with the question, “How can you know?”
It baffled him. So I explained (even though he was probably just doing research for how to better avoid detection next time) that there were some indicators, even though the door was closed, that let me know.
Is there a way to know, with at least as much certainty as I had about Jakin, that we are living in Jesus Christ? Are there indicators, even though we can’t see through the door of eternity just yet to see with certainty that we lived for Jesus while on earth, that would give us additional confidence that would bolster our faith?
Yes, according to John. He says in 1 John 2:6, “This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 Jn 2:6)
A simple answer, but one that is packed with the responsibility for a lifetime of introspection. Introspection that will require study (of how Jesus walked), courage (to measure our walk with his), and prayer (for power to align our walk with his).
Do you claim to live in him? John seems to be saying that those who are living in him don’t need to claim it. Even though, out of their love for God and others, they will.