Children of God

1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4Whoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. 5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6Whoever abideth in him sinneth not: whoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9Whoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Love One Another

(John 13:31-35; Romans 12:9-13)

11For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. 15Whoever hateth his brother, is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16By this we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But he who hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20For if our heart condemneth us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21Beloved, if our heart doth not condemn us, then have we confidence towards God. 22And whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23And this is his commandment; That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.