The Test of Knowing Him

"But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." (1 John 2:5-6)

Last night I had the Bridge House residents over for pizza and the first two Bourne movies. While eating, one of the girls asked me, "Has it been hard to be in charge of us?" I laughed and jokingly said, "If you all would just do what you're supposed to, it would be easy!"

We laughed in the moment, but what I said was the truth. There have been difficult moments in my time here, but it has been because of poor choices the youth here have made. Things would be much easier if they would just do what they are supposed to and obey the rules of the house.

After reading 1 John 2 this morning in my quiet time, I wondered how often God says the same thing about us. Things in our lives would be much easier if we would just obey God's commandments. If we truly love God and have a relationship with him, it should be evidenced by our obedience to His Word. That is the true test of our knowledge of Him.

The purpose of the Bridge House is to help the young adults of our ministry grow and mature. We do that by helping them through trials and setting boundaries for them. We expect them to obey our authority so that we can teach them how to be responsible adults. Just like them, I should obey God's Word so His love will mature in me. Then I can see if I pass the test of knowing Him.