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:
Abiding in Christ is another synonym for having an intimate relationship with Him, as are having fellowship with God and knowing God experientially. John’s point was that a believer who is abiding in God will obey God just as Jesus Christ abode in God and gave evidence of that by obeying His Father. John used the word translated "abide" (Gr. meno) 24 times in 1 John (1 John 2:6; 1 John 2:10; 1 John 2:14; 1 John 2:17; 1 John 2:19; 1 John 2:24 [thrice], 27 [twice], 28; 1 John 3:6; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 3:14-15; 1 John 3:17; 1 John 3:24 [twice]; 1 John 4:12-13; 1 John 4:15-16 [thrice]). This indicates a major emphasis on the believer’s abiding relationship in this epistle. The obligation of every Christian is not just to obey God’s orders (1 John 2:4-5) but also to follow the example of His Son (1 John 2:6).