In the writings of John, the apostle, there is a clear message that the proof of our love for God is in our obedience to His commandments. This theme is especially evident in 1 John 5:1-5, which reads:
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this, we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
In this passage, John addresses the importance of love for God and obedience to His commandments. He explains that those who love God will also love His children and that we can know we love His children when we love God and obey His commandments. He then emphasizes the nature of God's commandments, stating that they are not burdensome and represent God’s true love. He concludes by reminding his readers that faith in Jesus as the Son of God is the key to conquering the world.
The context of this passage is essential to understand its whole meaning. Throughout the book of 1 John, the author addresses a community that is experiencing conflict and division. Some false teachers deny the reality of Christ's incarnation and preach a false gospel. John is writing to encourage the believers and to clarify the truth about who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. He emphasizes the importance of love for one another, obedience to God's commandments, and belief in Jesus as the Son of God.
The application of this passage to our lives today is just as relevant as it was in John's time. Christians are called to love one another and obey God's commandments. Christians are called to obey God's commandments, including the Old and New Testament teachings. This obedience is not a burden but a natural expression of our love for God and others.
However, the law is summed up in loving God and loving our neighbours as ourselves. This idea is reiterated in other New Testament writings, such as Jesus' response to the question of which commandment is the greatest in Mark 12:29-31 and Paul's statement that love is the fulfillment of the law in Romans 13:8-10. By loving God and others, we show our love for God and demonstrate our trust in Him.
Furthermore, the passage reminds us that our faith in Jesus gives us victory over the world. In a world full of sin, conflict, and confusion, our faith in Jesus enables us to overcome our challenges. When we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we can have confidence that we are part of God's family and have the power to conquer anything that comes our way.
In summary, the proof that we know God is in our obedience to His commandments. As Christians, we are called to love one another and to follow God's ways. When we do so, we demonstrate our love for God and our trust in Him. This passage reminds us that our faith in Jesus is the key to victory over the world and that we can have confidence in His power to overcome any challenge we face.