1 John 3

1 John 3 ESV

1 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. 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

AMAZING 1-3

It is an ASTONISHING and ABSURD gift to be LOVED as a CHILD OF GOD (V.1)

We are ALREADY children of God, IF YOU CONFESS CHRIST AS LORD,

But NOT YET physically perfect, as He is (v.2)

The HOPE of Christ’s return produces fruit of RIGHTEOUS LIVING (v.3)

Sinning on Purpose 4-6

The LAW OF GOD is an even playing field (v.4)

If you know, you know

You cannot SOAK in the love of Christ when you bathing in the trash. (v.6)

Actions are Loud 7-10

DON’T BE DECEIVED! The Law of God has not changed. (v.7-8)

My opinions are formed by Scripture

Scripture IS NOT formed by my opinion

Our lives offer fruit and evidence of our SPIRITUAL CONDITION (v.9-10)

A Call to Action 11-24

Love for one another is a key marker for believers. If you are living with murder in your heart there is a problem (v.11-15)

We have our example, Christ, now let’s follow it. (v.16-18)

Our desire to follow that example is reassurance of our salvation

We have boldness to pray WHATEVER? When we are obedient and SEEKING HIS WILL! (v.21-22)

Believe in Jesus, Love one another, the guidance of the Spirit is your proof. (v.23-24)

Romans 10:14 ESV

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.