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1 John 3:24 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²⁴And the one who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he resides in us: by the Spirit whom he has given to us.

And the one who keeps his commandments remains in him. This is the only proper evidence of love to Jesus, for mere profession is no proof of love; but that love for him which leads us to do all his will, to love each other, to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow him through evil report and through good report, is true attachment. We have evidence that a child loves its parents is when that child is willing, without hesitation, challenging, disputing, or complaining, to complete all that the parent requires him to do. So, the disciples of Christ are required to show that they are attached to him supremely by yielding to all his requirements and by patiently doing his will in the face of ridicule and opposition, 1John 5:2-3.

And by this we know that he resides in us: by the Spirit whom he has given to us. That is, this is another certain piece of evidence that we are true Christians. The Savior had promised (John 14:23) that he would come and take up his abode with his people. John says that we have proof that he does this through the Spirit he has given us. That is, the Holy Spirit is imparted to his people to enlighten their minds, elevate their affections, sustain them in times of trial, quicken them in the performance of duty, and imbue them with the temper and spirit of the Lord Jesus. When these effects exist, we may be certain that the Spirit of God is with us; for these are the ‘fruits’ of that Spirit, or these are the effects he produces in men’s lives. Comp. Gal. 5:22, 23. On the evidence of piety here referred to, see Rom. 8:9, 14, 16. No man can be a true Christian in whom that Spirit does not constantly dwell or to whom he is not ‘given.’ And yet no one can determine that the Spirit dwells in him, except by the effects produced in his heart and life. In the following chapter, the apostle pursues the subject suggested here and shows that we should examine ourselves closely to see whether the ‘Spirit’ to which we trust, as furnishing evidence of piety, is truly the Spirit of God, or is a spirit of delusion.

By Albert Barnes and Edward D. Andrews