1
Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God's dear children. And that's what we are. For this reason the world doesn't recognize us, and it didn't recognize him either.
2
Dear friends, now we are God's children. What we will be isn't completely clear yet. We do know that when Christ appears we will be like him because we will see him as he is.
3
So all people who have this confidence in Christ keep themselves pure, as Christ is pure.
4
Those who live sinful lives are disobeying God. Sin is disobedience.
5
You know that Christ appeared in order to take away our sins. He isn't sinful.
6
Those who live in Christ don't go on sinning. Those who go on sinning haven't seen or known Christ.
7
Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you. Whoever does what God approves of has God's approval as Christ has God's approval.