Walk As God's Children

The Practice of a Christian (4-15)

A believer’s life is not characterized by sin, but righteousness.

Who is John talking about? False teachers had begun to excuse sin.

Jesus warned, “you will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Jesus came to deliver us from sin. (verse 5)

You have the righteousness that comes by faith. (Romans 3:22–24 “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;”

What’s on the inside will eventually come out. “It not what you put into a man, but what come out of a man that defiles him.”

Chocolate truffles at headquarters (good on the outside, but moldy on the inside).

The children of the devil vs. children of God.

Those who make a practice of sinning give evidence that they are still under the dominion of Satan.

Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work.(verse 8)

A believer cannot continue in sin because he has been born again and received a new nature. Hebrews 12:6 “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.””

The Proof of a changed heart is love for the Lord and the brethren.

The Passion of a Christian - Love (16-23)

The Definition of Love is God Himself.

God’s love is self-sacrificing, “he gave himself for us.”

God’s love is generous – it is not inconvenienced.

God’s love is active not theoretical.

We are called to love as Christ did.

Giving to a brother or sister in need – verse 17

Love in deed and in reality.

Love Gives Assurance of Salvation (vv. 19-24)

John was writing so that believers may have assurance of their salvation.

He gives four assurances in these verses:

First, we have assurance by our expressed love for fellow believers.

Second, we have assurance of forgiven sin.

If our heart condemns us (has knowledge against us) kataginosko. God is greater he is the ultimate judge, not our own conscience. He knows (ginosko) everything. There is therefore now, no condemnation to them that are in Jesus Christ, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

When you feel out of fellowship, go to the cross. Behold the love of God displayed for you. Rejoice once more in the cleansing power of His blood.

Third, we have assurance and confidence in answered prayer.

Because we keep his commandments and our do what is pleasing to him

Fourth, we have assurance by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to keep his commandments.