As we enjoy communion with the triune God, 

we must receive the blessings of obedience.

Through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (1 Jn. 3:24),

we enjoy communion with the loving Father God

who has bestowed great love upon us (v. 1),

and with Jesus Christ, God's Son who laid down His life

as an atoning sacrifice for our sins on the cross (2:2; 3:16),

and therefore, we experience intimate fellowship (1:3).

As a result, we are filled with joy (v. 4)

and should obey the commandments of the Lord and love one another (3:11, 23, 24).

In doing so, we receive four blessings of obedience:

• We know that we belong to the truth (v. 19),
• Our hearts are strengthened before the Lord (v. 19). Our hearts do not condemn us, so we have confidence before God (v. 21),

• We receive whatever we ask from God (v. 22),
• We know that we abide in Him and He in us by the Spirit who dwells within us (v.24).

In summary,

Through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us,

we enjoy fellowship with the Father God and Jesus Christ (1:3),

and therefore, we must receive the blessings of obedience (3:19-24).