In the midst of false teachings and false prophets during the time of Apostle John as well as in our time today, how do we know that we are of God?

There must be evidences of salvation in us. And one of them is love. We as Christians know how to love rightly because we have experienced the true love of God.

1. Christians can love rightly because they have experienced true love.

In 1 John 4:7-8, loving one another is evidence that we know and love God. The absence of love for others is evidence that one does not know God. We have experienced how God loves us in how He manifested His love toward us.

1 John 4:11-12 tells us that it is our duty to love one another. This obligation is constrained by the love of Christ for us. If we fulfil this obligation, it is a sign that God dwells in us.

2. Christians ought to love rightly because they will experience God’s blessings.

In 1 John 4:13-16, the first blessing of loving rightly is that Christ dwells in us and we abide in Him. The Holy Spirit which dwells in us will teach us the truth. To dwell in God is to have God as our abode, habitation and security. When we love one another we know that we dwell in God and He dwells in us.

3. Christians ought to love rightly because it brings divine confidence.

According to 1 John 4:17-21, if we abide in God’s love, our love is made complete and perfect. This complete love brings about divine confidence in the day of judgment and there will be no fear of judgment and punishment for Christians.