In the first letter of Yahuchanan (John) we find a number of verses containing the words "the one who …", followed by a description of those who have chosen Yahweh as their Elohim and have decided to believe in Y'shua as the Messiah. Although this phrase is sometimes used in other books of the Messianic Scriptures too, it is most characteristic of the first letter of Yahuchanan and is aimed at highlighting the clear differences between those who follow the truth and those who do not. In the Webster Dictionary the following is found as part of the extended meaning of the word "One": "an indication that something or someone is opposed to, or different from another". By using the phrase "the one who …" Yahuchanan is trying to define the individual who truly belongs to Yahweh and follows the Messiah, as against those who may have the appearance of being followers of the Messiah, but in reality they are not. Those who truly love Yahweh and believe in his Son, Y'shua the Messiah, will be set apart and different from many other groups of people in this world – even groups of people that, at first glance, may seem to be very much like themselves. Let us look at the distinctive characteristics of the ones who belong to Yahweh, as presented to us in the first letter of Yahuchanan.

1. The one who knows Y'shua – Not only says "I know him" (he will keep the commandments of Y'shua and Yahweh) – 2:4, see 5:2-3
2. The one who guards his Word – that is, the Word of Y'shua, which is no different from the Word of Yahweh (in him the love of Elohim has been perfected) – 2:5
3. The one who stays in Him – that is, in the words and the works of Y'shua (he will walk, even as Y'shua has walked) – 2:6
4. The one who is in the light – not only says he is in the light (he will not hate his brother) – 2:9
5. The one who does the desire of Elohim – putting Yahweh’s desire above his own desires (he will remain forever) – 2:17
6. The one who loves his brother – and thereby reflecting the love of Yahweh (he has been born of Yahweh) – 4:7-9
7. The one who stays in love – continuously learning from Elohim who is love (he will stay in Elohim and Elohim in him) – 4:16
8. The one who believes that Y'shua is the Messiah – the anointed One whose coming was previously promised (he is born of Elohim) – 5:1
9. The one who believes that Y'shua is the Son of Elohim – the One born of Yahweh, chosen by Yahweh and heir of Yahweh (he will overcome the world) – 5:5
10. The one who possesses the Son – which is the same as believing in (the Name of) the Son (he possesses eternal life) – 5:12-13