Children of God
1 John 2:28-3:10
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- Who is the "neat freak" in your family? Are you neat or messy?
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Children of God
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he
appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at
his coming. 29 If you know that he is
righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has
been born of him.
3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we
should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the
world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved,
we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet
appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him,
because we shall see him as he is. 3 And
everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices
lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know
that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is
no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on
sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little
children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is
righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a
practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the
beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of
the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of
sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning,
because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is
evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil:
whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one
who does not love his brother.
1 John 3 invites us to immerse ourselves in God's extraordinary love and let it transform us from within. As children of God, we are called to live righteously, mirroring the purity of Christ and displaying profound love for our fellow believers. The manifestation of love should extend beyond mere words, finding expression in action and truth. As we navigate through our daily lives, let us keep these profound truths at heart and strive to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
Section: God’s Lavish Love and Its Implications (Verses 1-3)
John begins by marveling at the incredible love God has shown in making us His children. This divine identity may not be recognized by the world because it did not know God. We are comforted with the assurance that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. This hope inspires us to purify ourselves, just as Christ is pure.
Section: Sin and the Children of God (Verses 4-10)
John contrasts the sinfulness of the world with the righteousness of God's children. He asserts that everyone who sins breaks God's law, and in Jesus, there's no sin. Anyone who continues to live in Him does not go on sinning. Those who do not practice righteousness or love their fellow believers are not of God.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What tell-tale attitudes and actions characterize a person "born of God" (2:29; 3:1b,3,6-7, 10)?
- Are Christians sinless (3:6-10)? Does John mean that Christians do not sin: At all? Inad- vertently? Deliberately? Habitually? Or is he providing a gauge to evaluate teachers?
- John says the main source of tension between the world and Christians is sin. Despite this tension, what must go hand-in-hand with obedience for a Christian (3:10)? When is it difficult for you to love?
- What does it mean that Jesus Christ is our propitiation?
- How does this passage help us understand the nature of God's love for us?
- What does this passage teach us about how we should view those who sin against us?
- What are some practical ways that we can love one another as this passage commands?
- How does this passage help us understand what it means to be children of God?
- What does it mean that God is love?
- How does this passage help us understand the nature of sin?
- What does the passage teach about the relationship between love and obedience?
- How are we children of God according to 1 John 3:1?
- What is the purpose of trials and suffering? (1 John 3:2-3)
- According to 1 John 3:4, what sin have we been freed from?
- What does it mean when the author says that the Son of God appeared in order to destroy the works of the devil in 1 John 3:8?
- What does it mean to be born of God in 1 John 3:9?
Thesis: The unmistakable mark of a child of God is not merely in words of faith but in the practice of righteousness that reflects God’s own character.
Introduction: In 1 John 2:28-3:10, we discover the true identity markers of those who belong to God.
1. Understanding our Identity in Christ: Emphasizing the Change from Sin to Righteousness
A. 1 John 3:1 describes how great the love of the Father is, that we should be called children of God. This identifies us fundamentally as belonging to him.
B. Being children of God implies a transformation that aligns with God's righteous nature (1 John 3:7).
2. The Practice of Righteousness as Evidence of Faith
A. 1 John 3:9 explains that no one born of God makes a practice of sinning because God's seed abides in him; hence, he cannot keep on sinning.
B. This transformation is a direct outcome of the indwelling Holy Spirit, cultivating a lifestyle that rejects sin and embraces righteousness (Galatians 5:22-23).
3. The Impact of Living as True Children of God
A. As children of God, our actions must align with his character, fundamentally changing how we interact with the world (1 John 3:10).
B. This lifestyle is a witness to others about the power of God's transformative grace in our lives.
Conclusion: As we recognize ourselves as God’s children, let us reflect his character through our choices and actions. By living in his righteousness, we not only affirm our identity but also become beacons of his love and grace to the world.
- What should our attitude be towards sin? (v. 8)
- Why should we not be surprised if the world hates us? (v. 13)
- What does it mean to keep God's commandments? (v. 22)
- What does it mean not to love the world or the things in the world? (v. 15)
- How can we know that we love God's children? (v. 10)
- How can we know that we abide in God? (v. 24)
- What does it mean to be born of God? (v. 9)
- What does it mean to do righteousness? (v. 7)
- How would you feel if Jesus returned right now? Excited? Relieved? Ashamed?
- What do verses 1-3 imply about God? What does this mean for our self-image? How have you experienced God's lavish love this week?
- How can a Christian recognize and deal with our society's "whatever is right for you" attitude (moral relativism)?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
