The trouble here is heresy! Some “elite” Christians have become so sophisticated that they have denied the very cornerstone of the faith-the confession that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ come in the flesh. While claiming to love God and to be in fellowship with Him, they feel no burden to obey God or to love “lesser” Christians.
Why? John tells us why, but it’s not the answer we might expect. The heretics have failed to “believe the love.”

To “believe the love” could be called John’s creed in three words. It is the denial of the love of God expressed in Jesus Christ that lies at the root of the denial of Jesus’ claim about His person and mission. The denial of God’s love for us is the beginning of all heresy, for it is God’s excessive, suffering, and saving love that is so incredible.

The confession we made at our baptism is one that renews our confidence daily, for “we know and believe the love God has for us.” Our continued faith in His love sustains and encourages us today.