1 John 3:10-23

3:10 | God’s children are distinguished from Satan’s by their actions. A child of God will live righteously, loving fellow believers.

3:11-15 | Evidence that a person has passed from death to life is shown by that person’s love for the brethren, even the difficult ones. Those who do not love their fellow believers are wicked, like Cain (Gen. 4:1-15). In fact, hatred of other believers is equivalent to murder in God’s eyes (Matt. 5:21-22).

3:16-18 | As Jesus exemplified, love always involves sacrifice, sometimes even unto death. Claiming to love others is easy, but true love translates into actions (Deut. 15:7; James 2:15-17). Christians who love others are willing to give of themselves in costly ways (John 15:13).

3:19-24 | John writes to assure hearts, provide confidence toward God, and help his spiritual children know that Christ abides in them. Their lives are different because the Holy Spirit is working in and through them.

3:19 | With the words by this we know, John assures all believers that they undoubtedly belong to God and are bound for heaven.

3:22 | The Bible promises again and again that God answers prayer (Matt. 7:7; 18:19; 21:21; Mark 11:23; John 15:7). However, the statement whatever we ask we receive does not imply that if people just pray hard enough, they can have whatever they want. Their requests must be in line with God’s will (Ps. 37:5; Matt. 6:10; James 4:2-3), and they must be in right relationship with God, as evidenced by their desire to do what pleases him.