1 John 3:10 ¹⁰By this it is evident who are the children of God and the children of the devil; everyone who does not do righteousness is not of God, and the one who does not love his brother.

John draws a clear line distinguishing between the children of God and the children of the devil. This verse leaves no middle ground or gray moral area. The verse’s exclusive tone should prompt readers to carefully consider how they are living. The antecedent of the pronoun this is unclear: does it point backward to the sin of verse 9, or to the lack of righteousness and love in this verse? We do not need to pick one because both verses describe the same type of life. Two proofs of sin are unrighteousness and a lack of love.

Two different lifestyles are implied in this verse, and each has a different outcome. Being a child of God comes through being born again through faith in Jesus and obedience to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The outcome for God’s children is eternal life. Everyone else is a child of the devil, who deceives people into thinking they are OK and nothing to worry about. These children become spiritually dull and senseless, conforming to the patterns of this world. They lack the power source to love others unconditionally. Their love, in whatever distorted form it may be in, often turns back to self.

The way we live proves our identity and demonstrates our values. Our identity as God’s children should be evident in righteous decisions, with the primary proof being love. When we leave behind our old life by confessing it and walking in the light of Christ, we also open ourselves up to God’s love, which brings a change in character. We begin to see people differently, not as objects to be used for our own purposes, which can be very creative and subtle, but as persons to be loved and helped along their own journeys. It is difficult to show love without the inner resource of God’s love through the Holy Spirit. Because love is part of human nature as created in God’s image, all people can show love. But because of the effects of a darkened world, this love becomes distorted because of hearts that seek to preserve self, position, health, prosperity, and possessions. God’s love will release us from the burden of self-preservation. The things we seek to preserve are put through a new filter, and no longer are burdens and snares but blessings towards wholeness.