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As John begins to bring his first epistle to a close in chapter 5, he makes it abundantly clear that the tests he has given us by which we can measure the authenticity of our salvation, and thereby gain assurance, do not operate in isolation from each other. Verses 1–5 of this concluding chapter tightly interweave love for others, belief in the incarnation, and holiness of life.
We began to see John tie these tests together in verse 1 where he ties confession of the incarnation to being born of God and, therefore, to loving Him and His other children. In today’s passage, John ties love for God’s children back to love for God and personal holiness, for he tells us we know we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments (v. 2).
We have already seen in 4:20–21 that it is not possible to love God without loving His children. Lest we deceive ourselves and think we have truly loved His children when we do not have love for God, verse 2 likewise reminds us that it is not possible to love other believers truly unless we first love God.
Moreover, it is not possible to love God truly without keeping His commandments (v. 3). Our love for God is not simply a feeling — it must express itself in obedience to His requirements. Just as belief in God is not true and effectual unless it manifests itself in obedience (James 2:14–26), neither is love for God true and effectual unless it manifests itself in obedience.
Having reminded us that our love for God means we keep His commandments, John also tells us today that God’s commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). While the law does serve to show us the depth of our sin, we must note it is also the delight of the redeemed heart to keep it (Ps. 1). Still, the remaining presence of sin makes it hard to see the law as a delight at times, and John reminds us of the goodness of God’s law found throughout sacred Scripture. John Calvin writes in his comments on this verse: this reminder “has been added, lest difficulties, as it is usually the case, should damp or lessen our zeal.”