If we would be free from slavery to sin we absolutely must obey the teaching of Christ and His Apostles "wholeheartedly."

The understanding today is that we do not have to keep the commandments of Christ and His Apostles. As long as we believe the doctrines concerning Christ it is not too important how we behave in our body. This viewpoint is a blending, a syncretism of Gnosticism and the Apostle Paul's teaching concerning Divine grace. The blend is an utterly destructive force in current Gospel teaching.

Yet we say we believe in the full verbal inspiration of the holy Scriptures. Do we? Have we not in fact claimed the Scriptures do not mean what they say when they warn the Christians of the necessity for keeping the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles? Have we become Gnostics?

Do we really believe the Book of First John is inspired?

Let's see what it says:

"We know we have come to know him if we obey his commands."

How do we know we have come to know Jesus Christ? We know that we know Him if we obey His commands.

What if we do not keep His commands? In this case we do not know Jesus Christ.

Can we not know Jesus Christ and still be "saved"? How can we be saved if we are disobedient to God? Do you believe we can disobey God and still be saved? I don't!

"But I am saved by grace." What do you mean? Do you mean you can disobey the commandments of Christ and God will overlook your behavior? Where did you ever get such an idea?

The Bible says the only way we can know Christ is by keeping His commands. If we do not keep His commands we do not know Him and He does not know us.

"The man who says, ‘I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

What can we say about the Christian who claims to know Christ but does not do what Christ commands?

The Bible says he or she is a liar!

Why would the Holy Spirit inspire the Apostle John to speak in such strong terms? No doubt it was because of the pressure being put on the churches by the Gnostics, who taught that salvation has to do with specialized beliefs one holds and not with our behavior in the flesh.

I have become convinced that the modern Evangelical doctrine of grace is actually a form of Gnosticism and not the new covenant at all.

All we have to rely on is the written Word. Our current doctrine is not in line with the written Word. Therefore it is incorrect even though believed by the great majority of the blood-washed children of God.

"But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him."

God's love will never be made complete in us until we obey His written Word. This is what the Bible teaches.

To be continued.