Those who keep His Commandments remain in Him, and He in them (1Jn 3:24)
Listening to God's commandments and keeping them, for John is identical with the love of God! Is this possible? What is this about? After all, the Pharisees carefully kept the commandments, but the Lord Jesus said so many things about them!
First of all, one must realize that "commandments" are actually "orders", personal order. A personal relationship between God and man is essential. Keeping His commandments is the same as doing what pleases Him. Fulfilling His will introduces us to a living bond; thus, we live in God. It also has another side, namely: God lives in us! The relationship becomes mutual. In the Gospel, the Lord Jesus says: whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. (cf. Jn 16:23) This reciprocal relationship allows us to permeate one another. And this is the bond. This is further emphasized by the statement: the way we know that he lives in us is from the Spirit that he gave us (cf. 1 Jn 3:24). The same Spirit, who is with God, penetrates and guides us. He is the surest testimony that we really live in God.
Therefore, it is extremely important to recognize the spirit and whether it comes from God. The mere declaration, good intentions, and even formal fulfillment of the provisions of the law are not enough, the spirit must be recognized by the fruit: “This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ comes in the flesh belongs to God.” (cf. 1Jn 4:2)
Believing in the coming of the Son of God, Jesus Christ "in the flesh" involves accepting God's great humiliation, which seems unbelievable. God who always remains above us is easier to accept because it does not require such real internal transformation. He can be worshiped as God in heaven above us. For such a God, it is enough to properly worship in the form of external cult and to obey His commands. On the other hand, God who became Man calls us to truly follow Him, and this is hard because it requires a complete change of heart.
It has always amazed me that the essence of faith is precisely based on the faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and that this faith is a testimony of having the Spirit. For us, a name is the word we use to address someone. It is of a formal nature. For Jews, on the other hand, the name only expressed the essence of a person, his mission and meaning. So, believing in the name of His Son is more or less: believing that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God, that He has the power to save us, that He has all the authority in His hands. To believe in His name is simply to believe in Him. However, the term "believe in the name" has a dynamic character and with this understanding of the name - it means entrusting to the mission, His power and action. At the same time, it has a very personal character. We use a name when we personally address someone. Believing in the name of Jesus means addressing Him personally.
Saint John talked about a very concrete, close relationship with God. The Gospel, announcing the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy regarding the light that illuminates the land of the Gentiles, shows that this light is in Jesus' person and teaching. His first message is: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (cf. Mk 1:15). The kingdom is here, the kingdom is at hand, right here and now, not somewhere far away, so that we would have to wait a long time for it. In the Book of Revelation, Christ says “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.… (cf. Rev 3:20). It is precisely this closeness that calls and obliges. This is God who comes close to us, who wants a living relationship with us.
fr. george