<p>3:14 <em>We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He that does not love abides in death</em>- Again, the litmus test of the Lord's indwelling through the Spirit is if we love our brethren in Christ. If we have received the promised gift of eternal life, which is the life and spirit of the Lord Jesus, then we shall not hate our brethren. For He loves them. If we have His spirit, His mind, His love- then so shall we. John implies that we should be able to enquire of ourselves as to whether we love our brothers, and to find a clear answer. Harry Whittaker was fond of seeing the <em>agape</em>, the love feast, the breaking of bread, as implied in references to showing <em>agape </em>to our brethren. That is indeed one implication, and those who refuse to break bread with their brethren can hardly claim to have <em>agape </em>for them. But much more is implied- for the <em>agape</em> of the new commandment is to love unto death as the Lord did, passionately wishing salvation for all our brethren.&nbsp;</p><p>Having eternal life and passing out of death is spoken of in Jn. 5:24, where it is predicated upon hearing the Lord's word: &ldquo;He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life&rdquo;. To hear the word of Christ and believe the Gospel of God <em>must </em>issue, if it is valid and credible, in something practical- loving our brethren. It is only John who records the Lord speaking of &ldquo;my word&rdquo; <em>logos</em>. To hear Christ&rsquo;s word or <em>logos</em> is not merely to believe that the Bible was written by Divine inspiration, or to intellectually assent to doctrinal truth; it is to discern <em>Him</em>, to know Him as a person in truth. And this simply has to lead to loving the brethren. This is the real result of knowing / being in relationship with the Lord.</p>