Do you know Jesus? Consider I John 2:3-6: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

John wrote concerning a familiarity with Jesus. Proof of knowing Jesus is not to be found in “personal testimony” (verse 4). Some people may say they are “witnessing for Christ,” but that is no proof they know Jesus. The Bible teaches it is possible for a person to say he knows Jesus, yet be a liar. The real proof of knowing Jesus is in keeping his commandments. Jesus taught that love for him results in obedience to him (John 14:15).

Verse three of our text could be accurately translated: “And hereby we do know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” Coming to know Jesus takes place over a period of time. We get to know Jesus in the same way we get to know anyone else. We communicate with them. We can get to know Jesus by reading what he has communicated to us (Hebrews 1:1-3, I John 1:5). Do you know Jesus? In light of I John 2:3-6, the question is not quite as simple as it sounds