Heard some kids talking about taking their driving test. One kid asked the other "how many times did you take the test?" Obvious that if you took the test more than once, you did not pass the first time. But the "asked" kid said, "I don't know why he made me take the test again, I know how to drive."
Well…thinking about this, I'm pretty sure that the driver's examiner has a list of things that you are supposed to demonstrate (show) that you know how to do. And…if you can't show how to do those things then you probably need some more practice.
At this point, instead of First John, it's sounding more like James with his "don't just listen, do!" (emphasis are mine) However, that is part of the reason that John wrote his letters – he wanted people to "know" what they possessed and that they would know how to avoid trouble. He was trying to help them get a grip on what some false teachers were telling people.
He put a pretty strong reminder in the end of the first chapter when he said that "God is faithful". That brought to mind (almost instantly) a verse that has stuck with me for years. It's in 2 Timothy 2, where he says " Even if we lose or don't have faith, He (God) will remain faithful for He cannot refuse to do what he has promised."
OK, so that was a Joe translation, but you go read 2 Tim 2:13 and see what it says in your language…
Those are pretty strong words – a clear indication that He is not like me or the people around me. He will be there, wherever that might be. I for one am glad He is!