Children of God

1Consider 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. 2beloved, 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. 3he that hath such an expectation should purify himself, even as he is pure.

4he that is vitious, is lawless: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5and you know that he appear'd to abolish our sins; and that he was himself without sin. 6whosoever adheres to him, sinneth not: whosoever sinneth, hath not seen him, he does not know him. 7dear children, let no man deceive you: only he that acts justly is just, as he is just. 8he 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. 9whosoever 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. 10In 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.

Love One Another
(John 13:31–35; Romans 12:9–13)

11for this is the doctrine that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12not 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.

13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14as for us, we know, that we have passed from a state of death to that of life, because we love our brethren: he that does not love his brother, is in a destructive state. 15whosoever hateth his brother, has the disposition of a murderer: and you know that no murderer has any title to eternal life. 16this is the proof of the divine love, Christ expos'd his life for us: and we ought to expose our lives for the brethren. 17he 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? 18my dear children, let not our love be only in the language of our lips, but in the real effects of the heart. 19Hereby we shall know that we are true professors, and set our consciences securely at rest. 20for if our conscience condemn us, God knows us better than we do our selves, he knoweth all things. 21beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we may securely confide in God. 22whatever we ask, we shall receive it of him, because we keep his commandments, and do what is agreeable to him.

23now this is his commandment, that we believe in his son Jesus Christ, and that we love one another, as he commanded us. 24he 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.