John concludes his epistle with emphasis on knowing God relationally and His truth cognitively. John uses the phrase “the true” three times here. What is utterly important is that we believe the promises of God and not look for something else. God has promised eternal life to all who truly know Him through Christ. The final verse in 1John is a warning to guard against idols. Though we are safe in Christ, the Christian faith is always under attack. John has made the categories clear: we either are lawless or abide in Christ. Despite this, many have proposed false third categories of supposed higher order Christians. We warn that these categories are not biblical and should be rejected. Rather than become elite Christians, we are in greater danger from the latest “golden calf.” Instead we are urged to trust God’s word and believe His promises.

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