A new commandment for believers – Part 2

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

Those who claim to know God, but do not obey His words are liars. Although, they have knowledge of divine requirement of love in the Bible, yet they hate fellow believers. Such people do not usually take offence at sins or the absence of moral values around them, but they take offence at their fellow believers on their duty. Such a despicable attitude has caused many to forsake Jesus Christ and His work.

If we are truly living in the light, we should not create any “occasion of stumbling” for others. For want of love, Cain killed his brother. But today, many use their pens, phones, information and tale to assassinate other believers’ character and kill their courage. Such compromisers are liars. They can only hurt their victims here on earth, but they will surely burn eternally in hell, except they repent. Joab, Absalom with his worldly-wise woman emissary, Amnon, Ananias and Sapphira among others who traded in lies have their part in the lake of fire.

Liars come in different categories. The first are pulpit liars: They share fantastic testimonies to encourage people, but their stories are all lies. The second are religious liars. This group use the Bible to tell lies. The third are the latter-day hypocritical liars; they package false doctrines in attractive colours to deceive the people.

The fourth are service-rendering liars. This group of people render eye-service. Fifth are praise-seeking liars. They lie in the process of seeking the praise of men. Sixth are position-seeking liars. Seventh are market liars; they lie and even swear to get what they cannot get by plain truth.

Those who lie for earthly gains will surely end up in hell fire. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…”

Those who keep the word of God are perfected in His love. Many people think that they have no need of exhortations or preaching. But the Apostle’s encouragement was not to unbelievers. He wrote to believers, not because they are weak, but “because (they) are strong, and the word of God abideth in (them).” Satan and his cohorts have no power over any believer because he is saved and conformed to the image of Christ.

Amidst trials and temptations, we are able to “overcome them: because greater is he that is in (us), than he that is in the world.” We gain victory over them because they have no power to subdue us. We will overcome all the challenges that come our way through Christ who loved and sacrificed Himself for us. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world.”

In spite of the enemy’s threats of death, we should not love God less; we should rather keep standing on the truth of His word. Satan cannot terminate our lives; he does not have the final say over our lives. We should always be consoled by the fact that God has promised to satisfy us with long life and show us His salvation. As Christ’s word abides in us, we will overcome all the challenges thrown at us by the devil. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”

• Further Reading (King James Version): 1 John 2:7,8; John 13:34,35; Romans 5:5; 1 John 2:4,9-11; 3:11-15; 2:4; Revelation 21:8; 1 John 2:5,12-14; Romans 8:29,37; 1 John 4:4; 5:4,18; Revelation 12:11; Isaiah 54:17.