Children Of God or Not

1 John 3

John does a wonderful job of drawing the proper/true lines in the life of the human......The life will either look like Christ (pure) or it will look like the flesh, the world, or the devil (sin)

Verse 1........Romans 8:14–17 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Verse 2........1 Corinthians 15:49 “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

Verses 3-10......John makes a severe distinction between the true believer and the one that is not.........

The true believer will not be an active sinner.......They will not be known by sinful behavior....

It is impossible......This is what James was telling us.....Paul too in Romans 6:1–2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

The believer will be know by purity which is in Christ............Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” .......That are some of the fruits of being conformed into the image of Christ.....

There is no law against that kind of life.

Purity means holiness, which is the essence of the Godhead.......God is Holy, Jesus is Holy, The Holy Spirit is Holy.......we should be holy according to Moses and Peter.....both inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Peter wrote about this......2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

Then he went on to say 2 Peter 1:4–8 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is the evidence of the true believer, fruitful, they will not look like the world......Jesus said in Matthew 7:17–20 “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

The main idea for John is to define false teachers and make sure the knowledge is there in order to be able to discern what is true and what is not. 1 John 2:26 “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.”

We have that issue today...........We tolerate sinful lifestyles, instead of rebuking, we tolerate these lifestyles because people close to us are living them and they get no push back because we are afraid of losing them.

We have also let politics play into this, we seem to follow those folks, when they are not to be followed. They might have all the degrees and done all the things but they will support/tolerate sinful lifestyles, heretical teachings, and flat out Jesus deniers for the sake of votes or to even save this country.

It is subtle, but true........It is not that we sit on high throne and call people out every time we see them pick their boogers and eat them, but there is a way to do this in love. How do I know that? Scripture tells us.......Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Paul also tells us in Ephesians 5:10–13 “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.”

Anyway, you get what I am saying.........Calling sin for what it is, just simply draws the line and keeps confusion away!

Are we sinless? NO! Does that excuse sin or make sin ok? NO! Sin is not a happy thing to the true believer! If you are born-again, then you are born into the family of God and you would not be joyful over a sinful life.....

Your desire is to not sin and to hate sin!......

If you find yourself liking sin, then John lays it out plain and clear.........that is of the devil and if anyone is happily living in a sinful lifestyle they are children of the devil!

Hard statement........God indeed is merciful, but He will in no wise clear the guilty........Those that like a lifestyle that is not of God, like enough to live in it, then they are children of the devil!

People cannot get around these truths............That is what living is all about......You are either with God or against Him and we will be able to tell by their fruits, according to Jesus! A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and vice versa!

Verses 11-19.........John stays on this love thing.......Obviously, the love for the brethren is not tolerance, John makes that very clear. If it is not pure/holy then it is not of God, it is of the devil! However, if your “fruit” is not with love then the same applies.....

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

No love you are nothing! You are the same as those that live happily in sin.......Matter of fact Jesus said you are these folks.......Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

They had the works but there was no love in it at all!

I go back to our target, if we have our target right then the rebirth happens and we have the new life that is needed to be God’s children! We will begin to resemble Him!

In verse 12.......John speaks of Cain....Cain murdered Abel because Abel's righteousness exposed Cain's wickedness.

1 John 3 — John MacArthur Summary Outline

I. The Believer’s Identity as a Child of God — 1 John 3:1–3

A. God’s love is demonstrated in adoption — v. 1

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…”

Salvation is not merely forgiveness; believers are . adopted into God's family

The world does not understand believers because it does not know God.

Our identity is determined by God's grace, not our circumstances.

Cross references:

John 1:12–13 — Those who receive Christ become children of God.

Romans 8:14–17 — Believers receive the Spirit of adoption.

Galatians 3:26 — “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 1:4–5 — God predestined believers for adoption.

1 Peter 2:9–10 — God's people are called out of darkness.

B. Our future glory is not yet fully revealed — v. 2

Christians already possess the status of God's children.

But what we has not yet been fully revealed. shall be

At Christ's return, believers will be transformed into His likeness.

Cross references:

Romans 8:23 — Waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Philippians 3:20–21 — Christ will transform our lowly bodies.

Colossians 3:4 — We will appear with Christ in glory.

1 Corinthians 15:42–49 — Resurrection bodies.

C. The hope of Christ's return produces purity — v. 3

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself…”

MacArthur emphasizes that genuine hope produces practical holiness.

Cross references:

Titus 2:11–14 — Grace teaches believers to live godly lives while awaiting Christ.

2 Corinthians 7:1 — Perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Peter 1:13–16 — Hope in Christ produces holy living.

Matthew 5:8 — “Blessed are the pure in heart.”

II. The Believer Does Not Practice Sin — 1 John 3:4–10

A. Sin is rebellion against God's law — v. 4

“Sin is the transgression of the law.”

Sin is not merely making mistakes. It is lawlessness—rebellion against God's authority.

Cross references:

Romans 3:23 — All have sinned.

Romans 7:7 — The law reveals sin.

James 2:10–11 — Breaking God's law makes one a transgressor.

Psalm 51:4 — Sin is ultimately against God.

B. Christ came to take away sin — vv. 5–7

Christ's mission included the removal of sin and the destruction of its power.

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins…”

Jesus is absolutely sinless.

Cross references:

John 1:29 — “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 — Christ knew no sin.

Hebrews 4:15 — Christ was tempted yet without sin.

1 Peter 2:22 — “Who did no sin.”

Hebrews 9:26 — Christ appeared to put away sin by His sacrifice.

Important distinction

John’s emphasis is not that Christians become sinless in this life.

Rather, John is teaching that a genuine Christian does not live continually and habitually in unrepentant sin as the pattern of his life.

Compare:

1 John 1:8–10 — Christians still sin and must confess their sins.

1 John 2:1 — “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father.”

Romans 6:1–2 — Grace does not give permission to continue in sin.

III. The Contrast Between the Children of God and the Children of the Devil — 1 John 3:8–10

A. The devil is the source of rebellion — v. 8

“He that committeth sin is of the devil…”

The issue is not that every person who commits a sin is literally a child of Satan in some temporary sense.

John is describing the person's spiritual allegiance and habitual pattern.

Cross references:

John 8:44 — Jesus describes unbelievers as children of the devil.

Ephesians 2:1–3 — The unbelieving world follows the ruler of the power of the air.

Colossians 1:13 — Christ delivers believers from the domain of darkness.

B. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil — v. 8

This is one of the great purposes of Christ's incarnation.

Cross references:

Hebrews 2:14 — Christ destroys the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.

John 12:31 — The ruler of this world will be cast out.

Colossians 2:15 — Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities.

Romans 16:20 — God will crush Satan under believers' feet.

C. God's children possess a new nature — v. 9

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin…”

The new birth produces a radically changed life.

The believer may fall into sin, but sin cannot remain the ruling principle of his life.

Cross references:

2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.”

Ezekiel 36:26–27 — God gives a new heart and Spirit.

Romans 6:6–14 — The believer is no longer enslaved to sin.

Galatians 2:20 — Christ lives in the believer.

Titus 3:5 — Salvation involves regeneration.

D. Two marks distinguish God's children — v. 10

John gives two fundamental characteristics:

Righteousness

Love for fellow believers

“Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

This is one of John's major tests of genuine salvation.

IV. The Believer Loves His Brother — 1 John 3:11–18

A. Love is an essential command — v. 11

“That we should love one another.”

Love is not optional Christianity.

Cross references:

John 13:34–35 — Christ's disciples are recognized by their love.

John 15:12 — “Love one another, as I have loved you.”

Romans 12:10 — Love one another with brotherly affection.

1 Peter 1:22 — Love one another fervently.

B. Cain demonstrates hatred — vv. 12–15

Cain murdered Abel because Abel's righteousness exposed Cain's wickedness.

Cross references:

Genesis 4:1–8 — Cain and Abel.

Hebrews 11:4 — Abel's faith.

Hebrews 12:24 — Abel's blood contrasted with Christ's blood.

John makes the striking statement:

“He that hateth his brother is a murderer.”

Jesus made the same connection:

Matthew 5:21–22 — Hatred and anger are connected to murder.

Matthew 15:18–19 — Evil proceeds from the heart.

MacArthur's emphasis

Hatred toward fellow believers is fundamentally incompatible with the new birth.

C. Christ is the supreme example of love — v. 16

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us…”

Christian love is not merely emotion.

Biblical love sacrifices.

Cross references:

John 10:11 — The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

John 15:13 — Greater love has no man than laying down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 — Christ died for us while we were sinners.

Ephesians 5:25 — Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.

D. Love must become practical — vv. 17–18

John moves from theological love to tangible love.

“Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

Cross references:

James 2:15–17 — Faith without practical works is dead.

Deuteronomy 15:7–11 — God's people are commanded to care for the needy.

Proverbs 19:17 — Kindness to the poor is lending to the Lord.

Matthew 25:34–40 — Christ identifies Himself with acts of mercy toward His people.

V. Assurance Through a Clear Conscience — 1 John 3:19–24

A. Genuine love gives assurance — vv. 19–20

“Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.”

One of John's purposes is to give believers assurance of salvation.

When our hearts condemn us, God knows us better than we know ourselves.

Cross references:

Romans 8:16 — The Spirit bears witness with our spirit.

Hebrews 10:22 — Hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.

Psalm 103:13–14 — God remembers that we are dust.

Romans 8:33–34 — No accusation can ultimately condemn God's elect.

B. A clear conscience gives confidence before God — v. 21

When a believer is walking in obedience, he can approach God with confidence.

Cross references:

Hebrews 4:16 — Come boldly to the throne of grace.

Hebrews 10:19–22 — Confidence to enter God's presence.

Ephesians 3:12 — Boldness and access through Christ.

C. Obedience and prayer are connected — v. 22

“Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments…”

This does not mean Christians get whatever they want.

Prayer is effective when it is submitted to God's will.

Cross references:

John 15:7 — Abiding in Christ and prayer.

John 14:13–14 — Asking in Christ's name.

1 John 5:14 — Asking according to God's will.

Psalm 66:18 — Unconfessed sin hinders fellowship with God.

VI. The Central Command: Believe and Love — 1 John 3:23–24

John summarizes Christian duty in two inseparable commands:

1. Believe in Jesus Christ

“That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ…”

Cross references:

John 3:16

John 6:29

John 20:31

Acts 16:31

Romans 10:9–10

2. Love one another

“…and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

Faith in Christ produces love for Christ's people.

The evidence of abiding

“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him…”

The Holy Spirit provides the ultimate testimony that we belong to Christ.

Cross references:

Romans 8:9 — Anyone who does not have the Spirit does not belong to Christ.

Romans 8:14 — Those led by the Spirit are God's sons.

Ephesians 1:13–14 — The Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance.

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 — God seals believers with the Spirit.

The Main Message of 1 John 3

The children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil by a changed life.

John gives us three major tests:

TestEvidence of genuine salvationRighteousnessThe believer does not make habitual, unrepentant sin his lifestyle.LoveThe believer loves fellow Christians sacrificially and practically.ObedienceThe believer desires to obey Christ's commands.

A key MacArthur emphasis

Salvation does not produce perfection, but it does produce a new direction.

The Christian still struggles with sin—1 John 1:8–2:2—but he cannot be comfortable living in continual rebellion against God.

That makes 1 John 3 a powerful passage for assurance of salvation: not “Have I ever sinned?” but rather “What is the settled direction and pattern of my life?”

1 John 3:1–3 → Who we are 1 John 3:4–10 → How we live 1 John 3:11–18 → How we love 1 John 3:19–24 → How we know we belong to Christ

The chapter ultimately points us back to Christ's transforming work: we are God's children because He has given us new life, and that new life produces righteousness, love, obedience, and perseverance.