This then is the commission we have from him, to declare unto you, that God is light, and in him there is no darkness.

if we say that we have communion with him, and walk in darkness, we lye, and do not act sincerely:

if we keep his commandments, that is a proof that we know him.

he that says, he knows him, and does not keep his commandments, is a lyar, and an enemy to the truth:

I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked spirit. I write to you, little children, because ye have known the father.

I write to you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked spirit.

but as the unction which ye have received from him, abides in you, you don't need any instruction: being then fully instructed by his unction, which is true and not fallacious, adhere to what that has taught you.

adhere to that, my dear children, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

since you know that God is the source of virtue, you know that every one who has virtue, derives it from him.

Consider what proof the father has given us of his love, in allowing us to be called the sons of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it knew him not.

whosoever adheres to him, sinneth not: whosoever sinneth, hath not seen him, he does not know him.

whosoever is born of God, does not commit sin; for the divine principle remaineth in him: he will not sin, because he is born of God.

not acting like Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother: but why did he slay him? because his own actions were evil, and his brother's were virtuous.

he that possesses the enjoyments of life, and seeing his brother in want, has no compassion for him, how can he be said to have any divine love?

whatever we ask, we shall receive it of him, because we keep his commandments, and do what is agreeable to him.

he that observes his commandments, dwelleth in God, and God in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the spirit which he hath given us.

ye are of God, my dear children, and you have overcome them: because he that is in you, is superior to him that is in the world.

by this was the love of God displayed towards us, in that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live thro' him.

no man hath ever seen God. if we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and our love for him is then sincere.

Hereby we know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his spirit.

whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

and we have known, and are convinced that God hath loved us. God is love; and he that cultivates social affection, dwelleth in God, and God in him.

let us love him; since he first loved us.

besides, 'tis a commandment we have receiv'd from him, that he who would love God, must love his brother also.

Besides, we have this confidence in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he will hear us.

and since we are sure that he hears all our prayers, we are sure that the petitions we presented to him, will be answered.

If any man see his brother commit a sin, which is not a mortal sin, let him pray to God, who will grant him life, for such as do not commit a mortal sin. there is a sin unto death: in which case I do not enjoin any prayer to be made.

we know that a true christian will not commit such a sin, for he that is the child of God keeps upon his guard, so that the wicked spirit does not approach him.

We know that the son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding to know him that is true: and we are with him that is true, by his son Jesus Christ. "he is the true God, who is the author of eternal life."