There are those who profess holiness, who declare that they are wholly the Lord's, who claim a right to the promises of God, while refusing to render obedience to His 563 commandments. These transgressors of the law claim everything that is promised to the children of God; but this is presumption on their part, for John tells us that true love for God will be revealed in obedience to all His commandments. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth, to make a profession of faith in Christ, to believe that Jesus is no impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments," John wrote, "is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him." "He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him." 1 John 2:4, 5; 3:24.

Der findes nogle, der regner sig for hellige. De erklærer, at de helt tilhører Herren og hævder at være berettigede til Guds forjættelser, skønt de nægter at vise lydighed mod hans bud. Disse lovens overtrædere gør krav på alt det, der er lovet Guds børn; men dette er anmasselse fra deres side, for Johannes siger os, at den sande kærlighed til Gud viser sig i lydighed mod hans bud. Det er ikke nok teoretisk at tro sandheden, at give sig ud for at tro på Kristus, at tro, at Jesus ikke er nogen bedrager og at Bibelens religion ikke er en snedigt opfundet fabel. "Den, der siger: "Jeg kender ham," og ikke holder hans bud," skrev Johannes, "han er en løgner, og i ham er sandheden ikke; men den, der holder hans ord, i ham er sandelig Guds kærlighed blevet fuldkommet. Derpå kender vi, at vi er i ham." 1Joh. 2,4-5. "Og den, der holder hans bud, bliver i Gud, og Gud i ham." 1Joh. 3,24.