1 John 2:1–9

¹My dear children, I’m writing this to you so that you will not sin. Yet, if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ, who has God’s full approval. He speaks on our behalf when we come into the presence of the Father. ²He is the payment for our sins, and not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

Those Who Know Christ Obey His Commandments

³We are sure that we know Christ if we obey his commandments. ⁴The person who says, “I know him,” but doesn’t obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn’t in that person. ⁵But whoever obeys what Christ says is the kind of person in whom God’s love is perfected. That’s how we know we are in Christ. ⁶Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived. 

⁷Dear friends, it’s not as though I’m writing to give you a new commandment. Rather, I’m giving you an old commandment that you’ve had from the beginning. It’s the old commandment you’ve already heard. ⁸On the other hand, I’m writing to give you a new commandment. It’s a truth that exists in Christ and in you: The darkness is fading, and the true light is already shining. 

⁹Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark.