"And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked," (I John 2:3--6).
* Indications of genuine conversion, in contrast to only verbal declaration, are interwoven throughout John's writings. He affirms again and again that a prime characteristic of the genuinely regenerated person is obedient love. The one who claims a conversion, with no changed life of love, is deceived and a deceiver. All the more reason for us who are saved to live God's love transparently.
* With all the varieties of counterfeit Christianity in our world today, the book of I John is extremely relevant. He insists that obedience and love are two key indicators of genuine regeneration. Mere verbal declaration of salvation, with no subsequent changed life, should not be believed. To be perfected in love, our walk will match our talk.
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