1 John 3:24

And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

Abideth in him, and he in him ... This refers to the Christian's abiding in Christ and Christ's abiding in the Christian, "a metaphor derived ultimately from our Lord's allegory of the vine and the branches (John 15:1ff)."[58] It is not, however, some mystical experience which is meant by this; "its indispensable accompaniments are the confession of Jesus as the Son of God come in the flesh, and a consistent life of holiness and love."[59] In this connection, it is also appropriate to point out that no one was ever truly "in Christ" who was not baptized "into him," as the New Testament repeatedly affirms (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26,27; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

And hereby we know that he abideth in us ... this is only another way of saying, "hereby we know we are truly Christians."

By the Spirit he gave us ... In Christians, this refers to "the influence of the Spirit renewing their nature, sanctifying their wills, and directing their actions."[60] We have called this the "Gift Ordinary" of the Holy Spirit, given to Christians as an earnest in consequence of and subsequently to their being baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38ff and Ephesians 1:13). This is also called in the New Testament the "earnest' of the Holy Spirit.

In the wonderful words of this great chapter, the apostle John has revealed the true secret of the wonderful life in Christ, a life so glorious that it is appropriately described as a transfer from darkness to light, and as passing from death to life. The basics of it are profoundly simple. These are: the acceptance of Jesus Christ as God's only begotten Son, the confession of his name, being baptized into him, abiding "in him," having him "abide in" us, and responding to his great love by loving all people of the whole world, and "the brethren in Christ" with even a more fervent love. Such a life is the greatest adventure that human life on earth can offer, and those who dare to accept the challenge shall receive a final reward of eternal life with God in heaven.

[58] John R. W. Stott, op. cit., p. 150.

[59] John R. W. Stott, op. cit., p. 151.

[60] James Macknight, op. cit., p. 79.