1John 5:1-3 Whosoever believe that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
‘Believe that Jesus is the Christ is born of God’ everyone who believes from the heart that Jesus is the Messiah and exercises faith in the atoning blood is born of God; and everyone so begotten loves both God and man. This emphasizes the utter simplicity of salvation (John 3:16; Rom. 10:9-10; 1Jn. 1:9; Rev. 22:17). Many say that they have faith but the works they produce from their faith are not necessary for Christian living. It does not say they have a real and active faith, but they say they have. Faith alone cannot save (Jas. 2:17-18, 20-26) but Christianity demands of its followers’ good works in all obedience (Matt. 5:16; 16:27; Eph. 2:10; 1Tim. 6:18; 2Tim. 3:17; Tit. 1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:8). One is not justified by works (Rom. 3:25-31; 4:1-6; 9:11; 11:6; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5), but justified ones must do them to prove their Christian consecration (Jas. 2:14-18, 2:20-26) and by doing so represent Christ on earth (1Pet. 2:21-23). One cannot claim to be a Christian [Christ = the anointed one] without living according to the standards of this anointment. Then you are only a believer of some form of Christianity which in itself is just another form of idolatry – taking some of God’s Word and creating one’s own form of serving God (Acts 13:10; Gal. 1:6-7; 2Pet. 3:15-16).
‘And every one that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him’ by personal fellowship (1:3-7; 2:13); in fullness of joy in the heart (1:4); in keeping His commandments (2:3; 3:22); when walking even as He walked (2:6; 1Pet. 2:21-23); in love of the brethren (2:9-11; 3:10-19, 23; 4:7-21; 5:1); overcoming the world and satan (2:13-14; 5:4, 18); in the hatred of the world (2:15-17); being one with Christians (2:19); in Holy Spirit anointing (2:20-27); knowing the truth that sets free (2:21; John 8:32-36); acknowledging God and Christ (2:22-25); doing righteousness (2:29; 3:7-10; 5:1-4, 18); by purifying ourselves (3:3); being born again (2:29; 3:9; 5:1-18); cleansing from sin (1:7-9; 3:5-10); in freedom from condemnation (3:20-24); the indwelling Spirit (3:24; 4:4, 13); in faith (2:23; 5:1, 10); by confessing Christ (4:14-15); and receiving Him (5:10-13; John 1:12); through answered prayer (3:21-22; 5:14-15).
‘By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God’ loving God and keeping His commandments are proof that we love the brethren (2:9-11; 3:14-16); and loving the brethren is proof that we love God (3:17-18; 4:7-21).
‘Keep his commandments’ to be saved one must keep His commandments; not merely start keeping them, but continue in keeping them. If the condition is to keep them, then upon this basis only will God bless and save people (Rom. 1:5; Jas. 1:22-25; 1Pet. 1:2). Naturally, all free wills would not choose the same things and exercise their creative powers of free choice in the same way and in the same degree of wilful obedience or disobedience. If obedience to moral law consists of entire consecration to secure the best good of all according to the light [knowledge] received, sin and disobedience consist of entire consecration by free choice and life to secure self-gratification regardless of the rights of others.
Men who know God keep His commandments (1 Jn. 2:3-5). The saved are commanded to increase in the knowledge of God in order to have increased life (Php. 1:9; Col. 1:9-10; 3:10; 2Pet. 1:1-8; 3:18). No man can live in or enjoy a realm of which he has no knowledge.
Living the Word 