Keeping God’s Commandments

2:3 Now7 by this we know that we have come to know God:8 if we keep his commandments. 2:4 The one who says “I have come to know God”9 and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. 2:5 But whoever obeys his10 word, truly in this person11 the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him. 2:6 The one who says he resides12 in God13 ought himself to walk14 just as Jesus15 walked.

2:7 Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning.16 The old commandment is the word that you have already17 heard. 2:8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you which is true in him18 and in you, because19 the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.20 2:9 The one who says he is in the light but still hates21 his fellow Christian22 is still in the darkness. 2:10 The one who loves his fellow Christian23 resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.24 2:11 But the one who hates his fellow Christian25 is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.26