1 John 3:1-10 Answers

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.

The word “See” is an imperative term that calls for “direct attention and reflection” upon the amazing love that God has issued to His children.

Have you lost your sense of astonishment and/or admiration for the “out-of-this-world” kind of love that God has for you? Write (3) words that describe how you feel about the love that God has for you.

Undeserved

Specific

Complete

“God loves the sinner, not because He is drawn to him by his lovableness, but because, in spite of man’s unloveliness, God sets His mind and will on seeking man’s highest good.” - Donald Burdick

The child of God is unknown to the world because they have a different Father and therefore are of no relation to us.

Have you ever been at a “Family Reunion” and there was a stranger there that you didn’t know? You may have even questioned why they were at “Your” family reunion, because you do not know anything about them. You don’t know who their momma is. You don’t know who their daddy is. And so you sure don’t know who they are!

To the world - we are like the stranger. (John 15:18-19)

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.

With the use of the word “Beloved” John emphasizes the intense love that both he and the Father has for the Family of God.

The designation of “beloved,” also puts into practice the standard of love God expects among believers.

1 John 2:9–10 (ESV)

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling

We have been regenerated and “Justified” or “made right” in the sight of God

We are currently being “sanctified” or “set apart” but what we will be has not yet appeared

“Sanctification is not something our Lord does in me; sanctification is himself in me.” - Oswald Chambers

And one day will be “Glorified” or “made new” from sin and its effects when we see Him appear.

Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV)

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Christ is our hope! He is our pattern! We are not to judge our lives by other people, but by Christ, who is the goal toward which we are to move.

God purifies us but action is required on our part if we are to remain spiritually fit.

James 4:8 (ESV)

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

There is a difference between committing a sin and continuing to sin.

A believer confesses, repents and receives forgiveness; while a person who practices sin, never repents (notice I didn’t say confesses) and therefore does not receive forgiveness.

The latter person is in opposition to God, no matter what religious claims he or she makes.

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.

Christ is the Righteous One (2:29), the Pure One (3:3), and the Sinless One (3:5) - and is the supreme example of what You as His child are to be.

Since “Christ is the Righteous, Pure, and Sinless One; and the pattern of our lives then it is an “absolute impossibility” that those who abide in Him keep on sinning!

John is describing a way of life, a character, a prevailing lifestyle... not a single act.

“The believer may fall into sin, but he will not walk in it.” - David Smith

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

Remember part of John’s purpose is to point out false believers and teachers.

He states the obvious, “that one cannot be righteous, if they don’t practice righteousness!”

The life of the believer is not defined by an occasional righteous deed, but rather a habitual practice of righteousness and is an indicator of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 7:16 (ESV)

You will recognize them by their fruits...

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.

Our conduct reflects the nature of our master!

Ezekiel 28:15 (ESV)

You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you.

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.

John concludes that the one that is born of God not only practices righteousness but also treats his fellow brothers and sisters as family members.

If you are a child of God, then your life will imitate and embody, the distinguishing marks of your parent.

In other words: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!