But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:
in him verily is the love of God perfected: Scholars have had some difficulty in deciding whether "the love of God" refers to man’s love for God or to God’s love for man. Vincent says it "may mean either the love which God shows, or the love of which God is the object, or the love which is characteristic of God whether manifested by Himself or by His obedient child through His Spirit" (327). This is another phrase that must be understood in context. It must mean our love for God in this passage because it is our obedience that shows the proof of our love. (Compare John 14:21; 2 Corinthians 8:24.) In chapter five, verse 3, John declares, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." The true test of love for God is determined by our willingness to obey His will. Love is never passive; it is always active as it seeks to prove itself.