This verse isn’t saying that we will be like the Lord someday, in the sweet by and by. But this is saying that right now, in the rough now and now, we are like Him. No one should have the audacity to profess they are completely like Jesus in their physical actions or thoughts. That simply isn’t true. We may be better than we were or better than someone else, but none of us can claim to be like Jesus in our flesh. This has to be speaking about our born-again spirits that were created in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24).

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Our spirits are the only part of us that is exactly like Jesus IN THIS WORLD. What a powerful truth. Since God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and we have to approach Him in spirit and in truth, then God can freely fellowship with us because our born-again spirits are just like Him. What a deal!

a [Herein is our love made perfect] By God dwelling in us, by our dwelling in Him, by having the fullness of love in our lives, and by the perfection of that love in daily manifestation, we may have boldness in the day of judgment.

This is possible because we are like God -- holy, pure, loving, good, and true -- in this world (Tit. 2:11-12).

b [boldness] Greek: parrhesia (GSN-<G3954>) (note, Acts 4:13).

c [day of judgment] The 5th and last New Testament prophecy in 1John (1Jn. 4:17). Christians will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ (1Cor. 3:11-15). Sinners will be judged at the great white throne over 1,000 years later (Rev. 20:11-15).

d [as he is] What a rebuke to those who hold that men cannot live victorious over the world, the flesh, and the devil! Mt. 5:48; Rom. 6:14-23, notes.

e [we in this world] See note, Jas. 4:4.

Perfected with us God’s love is made perfect, or complete, among believers when they reflect God’s loving character in their lives (1 John 1:5–7; 2:1–6, 28; 3:16–20). Love is not an abstract concept for John; it concerns the outworking of the believers’ faith in ordinary interactions with people.

Have confidence in the day of judgment Believers can be confident on the basis of God’s love toward them; they do not have to fear His judgment.