The First General Epistle of John
Chapter 2:3-11
Geneva Bible Translation
3 And hereby we are sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (a)
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But he that keepeth his word, in him is the love of God perfect indeed: hereby we know that we are in him.
6 He that saith he remaineth in him, ought even so to walk as he hath walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment, which ye have had from the beginning: this old commandment is that word, which ye have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, that which is true in him: and also in you: for the darkness is past, and that true light now shineth. (b)
9 He that saith that he is in that light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness, until this time. (c)
10 He that loveth his brother, abideth in that light, and there is no occasion of evil in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother, is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
(a) In the Bible, to “know” someone includes close communion and love. To know Christ means to “keep his commandments.” This knowledge of Christ is called a “perfected” love of God, not because it makes us personally sinless, but because it is irrevocably established in those who live by it. Anyone who presumes to have received forgiveness from God but who spurns the gift of obedient love as unnecessary is a “liar.” Instead of receiving “Jesus Christ the righteous” as Savior, such a person manufactures a false Christ, a savior who is indifferent to righteousness.
Source of notation Reformation Study Bible
(b) Read John 13:34, 15:12
(c) Read 1 John 3:14
Additional study reading can be found here and here
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