It’s one thing to testify that we know Christ and are in Him. It’s quite another to have a life that reveals that He is our righteousness. In other words, it’s wonderful to know positionally that we’re in Christ and we’re accepted in the Beloved. But it’s altogether different to have a life down here that is commensurate with that on our plain down here. In other words, he’s saying this, “We recognize other believers by their lives and not their lips.” Righteousness, you see, is a family characteristic of the Father and His children. You see, God’s children take after their Father. They have His characteristics.