But the apostle John was not convinced that they knew all that much. His 5-chapter letter that we call “First John” is a message directed to the Gnostic infiltration, letting believers know what knowing is all about.

John was an eyewitness to Jesus and His resurrection. But his first assurance to his hearers is that what is necessary is not the “proof” of seeing, but simply believing his testimony about Jesus. That alone will get one in the know.

He claims that if one walks in this light, he will have true fellowship with the Father and the Son.

Sin will continue to harass, says John, but simple confession of it will cause it to be forgiven. We will know that we know Him if we keep His commandments. His commandments: believing in Jesus and loving the brothers. Notice how much of this is external. Obedience, believing, loving.

But he wants his readers to know that this is no easy matter. Those who do not love the brothers, and walk in the light they have been given, and keep on playing with sin, are no less than a bunch of liars. That would include the Gnostics, who might “feel” the truth but not live it.

You have an anointing, John reminds them. If one has to be reminded, as did Timothy who was told to “stir it up”, that must mean it is not an overpowering emotion that controls every moment of the day. Our kind of knowing assumes a two-party relationship.

John’s sort of knowing is easily subjected to tests. Do you care about needy believers? Enough to do something about it? Do you really, actively, love those whom you call brothers and sisters? Do you truly believe in this Jesus to the point of commitment? Then you probably have the Spirit of God and eternal life.

But if you continue in the same sins day after day, if your concern about the lost and the brothers is emotional but does not ever mount to the action phase, well…