The Consummation of Love

¹⁷ Love has been perfected among us in this: that ^(A)we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

Seeing God Through Love

^12 (A)No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

The Children of God

²⁸ And now, little children, abide in Him, that ^[a]when He appears, we may have ^(A)confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

⁵ But ^(A)whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God ^[a]is perfected ^(B)in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

^3 (A)And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

²⁹ For whom ^(A)He foreknew, ^(B)He also predestined ^(C)to be conformed to the image of His Son, ^(D)that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The Command to Love

3 Behold ^(A)what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that ^(B)we should be called children of ^[a]God! Therefore the world does not know ^[b]us, ^(C)because it did not know Him.

²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you, ^(A)‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. ^(B)If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

¹⁹ And by this we ^[a]know ^(A)that we are of the truth, and shall ^[b]assure our hearts before Him. ^20 (B)For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, ^(C)we have confidence toward God.