In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:10
It is important that every claim of being born of God be verified to avoid unfounded confidence that will damn the soul if such claims are not founded on the truth taught in scripture. To address this issue, the apostle John was categorical when he wrote, by the Spirit of God, that a distinction can be made between the children of God and the children of the devil. To show who the children of God are, he showed who the children of the devil are: those who do not practice righteousness, and those who do not love their brothers.
In a simple sentence, we can say that those who are born of God will practice righteousness and love the brethren. It's important to note that it is not either of, but both of these. It does make sense that those who are products of grace should do righteousness and love the brethren because these are the essence of their new nature. If they are born of One who is righteous and love, then, it will be an aberration not to live righteous and show love.
The Bible is the standard for what is right, therefore, when a person continually lives a lifestyle that is in violation of what the bible teaches, it does not matter what else that person does, he is not a child of God, he is a child of the devil. Sounds hard, but that's what the bible teaches. Also, it does not matter how sanctimonious a person's life is, if he does not love his brother, he is not a child of God, he is a child of the devil.
In the mind of the apostle John, there must be a verifiable basis by which the children of God can be distinguished from the children of the devil, and according to him, these are the practice of righteousness and love for the brethren.
In this one verse, the notion of being in Christ and living as a child of the devil is rebuked. You can't practice unrighteosness and be a child of God, and you can't be hateful to your brother and simultaneously be a child of God. Children of God practice righteousness and love the brethren. The opposite is true of the children of the devil. So, whose child are you? In the words of Jesus Christ, by their fruits we shall know them. Having said this, it is also important to say that doing righteousness is not the cause but the outcome of being a child of God.
Toni
