The 'Know' Test

When taking exams, there are lots of times when test questions that seem simple on the surface, are often not simple at all.

For instance, the answer to the question, "How long did the 'Hundred Years War' last?" seems obvious, but the correct answer is 116 years. When a test asks, "Which country manufactures Panama hats?" The answer is Ecuador. The answer to the question, "Which state makes Louisville Slugger baseball bats?" is Ohio. If you come across this question, "From what animal do we get cat gut?" The answer is sheep and horses. "In what month do Russians celebrate the October revolution?" November. "What was King George IV's first name?" It was Albert.

The apostle John shares two tests to determine if we are on the right track spiritually — tests that show whether or not we really know God personally — tests that indicate if we are indeed Christians — bound for Heaven. David Allen puts it, "Trying to live the Christian life while lacking the assurance that you are truly a Christian is like driving a car with the brakes on."

The ethical test: John says, "We know that we have come to know Him, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDS. Whoever says, 'I know Him,' but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person."

The relational test: John says, "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness." John is saying we can't claim to love GOD if we don't obey this command and love OTHERS.


When we allow God to empower us to obey this way and love in this way — not only do we pass the test — not only to we prove to ourselves that we KNOW GOD — we show OTHERS that we KNOW HIM. And that makes them want to know Him too. 1 John 2:3-11 is the Biblical reference.