And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).

By this we know [without any doubt] that we love the children of God: [expressing that love] when we love God and obey His commandments.

For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

We have

for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life.

And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins,

Because

The one who loves and unselfishly seeks the best for his [believing] brother lives in the Light, and in him there is no occasion for stumbling or offense [he does not hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin].

This is His commandment, that we believe [with personal faith and confident trust] in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and [that we unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, just as He commanded us.

Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience].

By this we know [without any doubt] that we love the children of God: [expressing that love] when we love God and obey His commandments.

As for the saints (godly people) who are in the land,
They are the majestic and the noble and the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.

The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’

By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

“This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,

for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [how you lean on Him with absolute confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness], and of the [unselfish] love which you have for all the saints (God’s people);

Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write you, for you have been [personally] taught by God to love one another [that is, to have an unselfish concern for others and to do things for their benefit].

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for His name in ministering to [the needs of] the saints (God’s people), as you do.

Let love of your fellow believers continue.

Since by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly seeking the best for one another],

Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit;

and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit].

General references

“You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).

for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;

By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

This [is what] I command you: that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another.

And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him.