One way assurance grows is by loving God’s people. Here are two kinds of evidence that show whether a person actually loves God’s people:

Hatred is evidence of darkness and death
“Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness... the darkness has blinded his eyes” (2:11). Hatred blinds people to the truth. A person who hates will not be able to see reality or find the path of wisdom. The tragedy of our time is that anger has taken root, and it is producing the bitter fruit of hatred. Hatred is evidence of darkness.

Hatred is also evidence of death: “Whoever does not love abides in death” (3:14). The person who hates is trapped, and he cannot get out. When we see hatred, our first response should be compassion. “This man has no love in his heart. He may be in a state of spiritual death.”

Love is evidence of light and life
“Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling” (2:10). Love is a sign that you abide in the light. If anger and hatred take root, they would cause you to stumble. But if you love your brother, there will be no cause of stumbling in you.

John also says love is evidence of life: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers” (3:14). This is assurance: “We know...” How do we know? “Because we love the brothers.”

Where do you see evidence of darkness and death in your life? Where do you see light and life?