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The book of 1 John is a brain twister. But when you iron it all out, it says one thing about 17 different ways: “Those who believe the gospel are saved”:

Definitions (they are all “the gospel”):

1. To know God:
   1 John 2:3 — Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments [Definition 4].
2. Born of God:
   1 John 5:1 — Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
3. To Love God:
   1 John 5:3 — For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments [Definition 4]. And His commandments are not burdensome.
4. Keep His Commandments:
   1 John 3:23 — And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another [Definition 5], as He gave us commandment.
5. Love the brethren/children of God:
   1 John 5:2 — By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God [Definition 3] and keep His commandments [Definition 4]. 1 John 1 — everyone who loves Him [Definition 3] who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
6. Overcome the world:
   1 John 5:4-5 — For whatever is born of God [Definition 2] overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
7. The will of God:
   John 6:40 — And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
8. An antichrist:
   1 John 2:22 — Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 1 John 4:3 — and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [as the Christ] is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
9. His word:
   The gospel. His commandments [Definition 4]. 1 John 2:4-5 — He who says, “I know Him,” [Definition 1] and does not keep His commandments [Definition 4], is a liar, and the truth [Definition 13] is not in him. But whoever keeps His word [His commandments – Definition 4], truly the love of God [Definition 3] is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
10. His promise:
    1 John 2:25 — And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
11. To practice righteousness:
    Galatians 3:11 — Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
12. To abide in Christ:
    1 John 3:24 — Now he who keeps His commandments [Definition 4] abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 4:12 — No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another [Definition 5], God abides in us, and His love [Definition 15] has been perfected in us. 1 John 4:15 — Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
13. The truth:
    The gospel. Christ.
14. To purify oneself:
    To believe the gospel.
15. The love of God:
    1 John 4:9 — In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him [the gospel].
16. The witness/testimony of God:
    1 John 5:11 — And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
17. Believers [as the inner man] cannot sin:
    1 John 3:6 — Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known [Definition 1] Him. 1 John 3:9 — Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God [Definition 2]. 1 John 5:18 — We have known that everyone who has been begotten of God [Definition 2] does not sin, but He who was begotten of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him;