Many live by the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” Scripture, however, does not deemphasize god-honoring speech, but is critical of empty confession. Scripture teaches that “Actions give validity to ones confession.”

In the book of 1 John, John is writing to combat false teachers who claim to have knowledge about Jesus, but deny that He took on flesh and the seriousness of sin. John counters these teachings by stating, “The man who says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:4).

Jesus' life of obedience is the Christian pattern and those who claim to be Christian ought to live as He did. John states, "If anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did” (2:5-6.) Some translations use the word abide in verse 6. This is one of John’s favorite terms to use for salvation. It involves walking as Jesus walked.

There are many today who claim to know God and to be on good terms with Him. The truth of the matter is that those who truly know Him prove it by their actions. Toward the beginning of his letter, John asserts, “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).