Why is keeping God's commandments important for Christians?

In 1 John 2:3-4, John presents obedience to God's commandments as a litmus test for true belief. A genuine relationship with Christ will manifest in a desire to obey His teachings. This obedience is not a means to earn salvation but is the natural outflow of a heart transformed by the grace of God. While we recognize our failures, our continual strive towards obedience reflects our love for God and the work of the Holy Spirit in us. It demonstrates that we have truly been born again and have an abiding relationship with Christ, making our assurance grounded in His promises rather than our own performance.