What does 1 John 3:23-24 mean?

²³ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. ²⁴ And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:23-24 KJV)

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

The apostle, having mentioned keeping the commandments and pleasing God as the qualifications for effective prayer, now goes on to show what those commandments primarily are: “And this is his commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he commanded us” (1 John 3:23). To believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ is:

1. To understand who he is according to his name—to recognize his person and office as the Son of God and the anointed Savior of the world: “That everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life” (John 6:40).
2. To acknowledge him in our judgment and conscience as someone perfectly suited for the whole work of eternal salvation.
3. To accept and rest in him as our Redeemer and the one who brings us back to God.
4. To trust in him for the complete and final fulfillment of his saving work: “Those who know your name trust in you” (Psalm 9:10); “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

This faith is essential for those who want to approach God in prayer, because it is through the Son that we come to the Father. Through his grace and righteousness, we are accepted by God (Ephesians 1:6), through his purchase all blessings come, and through his intercession our prayers are heard.

The second part of the commandment is that we love one another, as he commanded us (1 John 3:23). The command of Christ should always be in view. Christian love must fill our hearts when we approach God in prayer. We must remember that the Lord calls us:

1. To forgive those who offend us (Matthew 6:14), and
2. To make peace with those we have offended (Matthew 5:23–24).

Just as goodwill to men was proclaimed from heaven, so goodwill—especially toward fellow believers—must be in the hearts of those who approach God.

The obedient enjoy communion with God: “And the one who keeps his commandments lives in him, and he in them” (1 John 3:24). We dwell in God through a saving relationship and spiritual union with him through his Son, and through ongoing fellowship with him. God dwells in us through his word, through our faith in him, and through the work of his Spirit.

We know he remains in us by the Spirit he has given us (1 John 3:24)—by the new spiritual disposition he has placed in us. This Spirit, being one of faith in God and Christ and love toward God and others, shows itself to be from God.