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The true Christian who acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God must live in love toward God as well as his brother.

1 John 4:19–21. Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹⁹We love because he first loved us. ²⁰If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. ²¹And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

God first loved us and made a relationship with him possible. The text drives home its refutation of the antichrists and false prophets. We cannot claim we love God and then show that we hate our brothers. This only proves one thing: we are liars.

It is difficult to prove whether or not we love God based on our actions toward him because we cannot see him. Love for God is reflected in love for his children, our brothers and sisters, whom we can see. Therefore, God gave us this verifiable command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. Jesus stated the principle in other words: whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me (Matt. 25:40).

We must learn to discern the spirit of truth and falsehood, to love one another as God has loved us, and to love our brothers. Then we will face final judgment with hope and joy.

David Walls and Max Anders