What is the context?
The elder rejoices that some of the children are walking in the truth. Walking describes the way they live. His joy comes from seeing the Father’s command expressed in their conduct.
He then returns to the command they have already received: love one another. Verse 6 connects that love with walking according to God’s commandments. Truth, obedience and love belong together throughout the letter.
The reference to some children tells us whom he has found walking faithfully. By itself it does not tell us the conduct of every other member of the family or community.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley and the USCCB notes connect love with obedience expressed in daily life. They recognize the call to love as teaching already received. This passage gives a practical description of love through conduct rather than treating the command as a claim that warm feelings alone fulfill it.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Jesus gives His disciples the command to love one another as He has loved them in John 13:34–35. He says that their love will identify them as His disciples. The letter carries that purpose into community life: obedience and love make allegiance to Jesus visible.
What is our position?
Our study I Am a Disciple describes discipleship as learning from Jesus and following His way of life. It identifies self-giving love in action as the mark of a disciple. We therefore read this call to walk in love as something to practice through obedience, rather than simply a statement of admiration for Jesus.