John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience; but that obedience was the fruit of faith and love. "Ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins," he said, "and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him." 1 John 3:5, 6. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God. The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God's law.

Johannes lærte ikke, at frelsen skulle fortjenes gennem lydighed, men at lydigheden skulle være troens og kærlighedens frugt. "I ved, at han åbenbaredes, for at han skulle bære synden," sagde han, "og der er ikke synd i ham. Enhver, der bliver i ham, synder ikke; enhver, der synder, har hverken set ham eller kendt ham." 1Joh. 3,5-6. Hvis vi bliver i Kristus, hvis Guds kærlighed bor i hjertet, vil vore følelser, vore tanker og vore handlinger være i overensstemmelse med Guds vilje. Det helliggjorte hjerte er i overensstemmelse med Guds lovs forskrifter.