This section of the epistle brings to a head John's instruction on Christian sonship. He emphasized that it dispels the fear that enslaves every human being and it radically alters human relationships - one's relationship with God as well as with other people. The reason is that sonship involves reconciliation. But more than merely addressing the problem of enmity, this reconciliation finds God's children sharing in His nature- they are defined and animated by love, just as He is.

John instructed his readers that love is revealed and demonstrated in God's actions in incarnation and propitiation. Thus Jesus is, in His person and work, the embodiment of love. The divine love is manifested in Jesus, but people only truly discern that love as they are joined to Him and share in His life and likeness. This is the reason John so closely connected love, knowledge and the principle of abiding - God abiding in people and them abiding in Him.

Love is the preeminent way the Father's children manifest His life and nature, and John appropriately made it the centerpiece of his instruction in this epistle. He returns to the topic in this passage, explaining that love must be understood in terms of God's actions in Christ - specifically, the actions of incarnation and propitiation.

This larger section of the epistle speaks to the children's likeness to the Father. Here, that likeness involves discernment- the Father's children know Him, even as they know His only-begotten Son. And because they know the Father and Son, the children also recognize those persons and powers that deny and oppose them- they are able to -test the spirits- and expose those that are antichrist.

Jesus' resurrection is crucial to the Christian faith, but often not fully understood. Many view it only as proof that Jesus made atonement for sin, with the result that resurrection has its primary significance in forgiveness and personal salvation. But the truth is that Jesus' death and resurrection have cosmic and universal import- they stand at the very heart of the divine purpose to sum up everything in the heavens and earth in Christ. This all-encompassing design, centered in the resurrected Messiah, is the subject of this message.

Water baptism is common to all Christian traditions, but it is often not well understood. Discussions usually focus on the proper object of baptism and the mode of its administration. In terms of baptism's symbolism, most interpret it only in terms of a person's individual salvation. This message takes a wider look at baptism and considers its historical, christological and ecclesiological significance.

In the second half of chapter 3, John focuses on the significance and implications of Christians sharing in the divine likeness as children of the Father. He concluded that treatment by considering the issue of the children's obedience. This passage is crucially important in that it speaks to three key issues of Christian obedience- the relationship between obedience and law, obedience and assurance, and obedience and reward.

This passage is one of the most difficult in John's first epistle, and interpreters have arrived at different conclusions regarding its overall perspective and meaning. Some see John issuing a warning to his readers, while others believe he was trying to encourage them. This message seeks to interact with the passage as it sits within the surrounding context and contributes to John's overall intent in this letter.