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

but he that observes his precepts, loves God with a true and perfect love: 'tis by this we know that we are truly christians.

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.

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.

beloved, we are now the sons of God, tho' it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know, that when this change shall be, his immediate presence will give us a divine resemblance.

he that lives in sin, imitates the devil; for the devil was a sinner from the beginning. for this purpose the son of God appeared, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

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.

In this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: he that does not practise virtue, and fraternal benevolence, is not of God.

for if our conscience condemn us, God knows us better than we do our selves, he knoweth all things.

beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we may securely confide in God.

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.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

by this you may distinguish the spirit of God: "every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is from God.

and every spirit that does not own that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not from God." this is that anti-christian spirit which you have heard was to come, and even now it appears in the world.

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.

we are of God: he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. by this we distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of imposture.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God.

he that has not social affection, does not know God; for God is love.

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.

and what heightens his love, was this, that it was not we who first loved God, but it was he that first loved us, and sent his son to expiate our sins.

beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another.

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

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.

if a man says he loves God, and yet hates his brother, he is a lyar: for he that does not love his brother, who is before his eyes, how can he love God who is invisible?

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

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Messiah, is born of God: and every one that loves the father, will likewise be affected with love to his son.

by this we may know that we love the children of God, if we love God, and keep his commandments.

for our love of God consists in the observation of his precepts: precepts that are far from being grievous.

Who is it that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the son of God?

if we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater: now this is the testimony, which God has given us of his son.

he that believeth on the son of God, hath the testimony of God thereto: he that does not believe God, impeaches his veracity, because he does not believe the testimony that God gave of his son.

Now what is testified, is this, that God has given to us eternal life: and this life is by his son.

he that receives the son, is intitled to life; and he that does not receive the son of God, has no title to life.

these things have I written to you, that you may know that you have eternal life, by your believing on the name of the son of God.

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 we are the children of God, and the rest of the world are subject to the evil spirit.

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."