• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Text: 1 John 2:29

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

The Apostle John warns us of being presumptuous when we speak of having knowledge of God. The false teachers would be a classic example.

“If you know that He is righteous,
you know that everyone who practises righteousness is born of Him.”
1 John 2:29

1. “If you know that He is righteous”

a) This is a conditional sentence.

b) In the first part of the sentence, John raises questions about the so-called knowledge of God.

i) He does not endorse everyone who claims knowledge of God.

ii) Mere profession of knowledge does not necessarily mean true knowledge.

c) If there is true knowledge of God, it must include the fact that He is righteous in His Being.

2. “You know that everyone who practises righteousness”

a) The second part of the conditional sentence must be carefully considered.

b) The person who truly knows God must practise righteousness.

c) If the first part of the sentence is doubtful, then the second sequential part is doubtful too.

3. “You know”

a) John added this part for good reason.

b) This knowledge must be consciously felt.

c) It is not just mental assent but a life-changing knowledge.

4. “Born of Him”

a) The person who is truly born of God would have the following features

i) There would be true knowledge of God that He is righteous.

ii) This knowledge of God would cause the individual to practise righteousness in life.

iii) The desire to live righteously is characteristic of someone who is truly born of God.

b) The person who is not born of God

i) He merely professes knowledge of God.

ii) He does not live righteously.

iii) He is presumptuous in his knowledge of God.