John 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

How can we know that we have victory and that sin is not part of our life? John’s answer is simple: obedience. Obedience is the confirmation of faith. Faith should lead to obedience. Faith without obedience is only a fading thought of the intellect. Obedience solidifies faith in the heart. John will get deeper into the idea of obedience in the following passages.

Obedience is a crucial part of being God’s holy people. We cannot be holy while living in sin. Holiness and sin are opposites. John has laid out the steps to holiness in his letter so far:

  1. Acknowledgement of sin through conviction of the Holy Spirit
  2. Confessing that sin and experiencing forgiveness and cleansing
  3. Accepting the advocacy and atonement of Jesus Christ and trusting in him for continued victory
  4. Obedience to the commands of God.

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