Today's text falls into two halves. In the first half verses 7 and 8 tell us what specific commandment John thinks we should use in testing the reality of our new birth. And in the second half verses 9-11 describe the way that test would be carried out in two cases. He wants to give assurance to the obedient who should have it and take it away from the disobedient who shouldn't have it. So in verses 7-11 he lays down the love commandment as the specific test of obedience.
Love is the living evidence of new birth and eternal life.
Now what we should do as we stand before a portion of God's word like this is make every effort to think God's thoughts after him. If we can make progress in thinking about reality the way God does then our will and our desires will not be conformed to the world but to God. We will love what he loves and do what he does. And our light will so shine before men that they will see our good deeds and give glory to our Father in heaven. Exposition I. Verses 7 and 8.