1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. - P26
5But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:
6Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. - P26
10Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
11But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
- P27
The writer says he writes so that believers will not sin, but if anyone does, theyhave an advocate with the Father. He writes that the evidence that someoneknows God is their obedience to His commands. Those who claim to live inthe light must love their brothers and sisters. Hatred is evidence of darknessand blindness. - P27
John encourages the believers not to sin. He reminds them that the evidence that we truly know Jesus is our obedience to His commands. Disobeying Him while claiming to walk with Him is hypocrisy. In other words, what assures us of the genuineness of our faith in Jesus is obedience to Him. - P28
Faith is not inherited from our parents or acquired by growing up in a Christian culture or attending church. - P28
What identifies a true believer is whether their life aligns with and is patterned after the life of Christ. Those who say they follow Jesus must live as Jesus did. - P28
As we mature in faith, we should be growing to become more like Him in character and service. - P28
Someone who hates others is still in the darkness, even though they claimto be in the light. To love one‘s fellow believers is to walk in the light andtherefore be less likely to stumble. If anyone claims to be a Christian butdoes not love others, this puts their Christian faith into question. Theirattitude shows that they are still blinded by darkness (v. 11). - P28
When we giveour life to Jesus, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, who gives us the capacityto love others. This is why John says that loving others is a marker of truefaith. - P28
When conflicts or misunderstandings arise, settle the issue quicklyand peacefully, letting God work greater Christlikeness in you and in thosearound you - P28
Father God, You call me to live as Jesus did, but I fall short of this calling so many times. Empower me with Your Holy Spirit to restore my broken relationships and serve others with compassion just as Jesus came not to be served but to serve. In His name, amen. - P29
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