Children of God vs. Children of the enemy

We have identity. We know who we belong to. Look in v. 29 We were born of Him. Much like I look like my earthly father because I was born of his flesh, you and I look like our heavenly Father because we are born of him. Righteous living is the symptom of being born again not a requirement to be born again. You and I should have confidence because we have an identity.

So many today are searching for their identity or as the world would call it their “truth”. There is no doubt why there is a mental health crisis right now, people do not their identity and what could be more mentally taxing then not knowing who you are. Church we know who we are, are the Father’s and therefore we should have confidence and reveal is righteousness.

v. 3:2 John says you think we look like him now, just wait until he returns. When we are restored what a day that’ll be!

We are chosen v. 3:1

Story of Bryce Hamrick’s adoption.

What could give you more confidence then knowing you are chosen?

I love in this verse John says “what great love” the Greek word “potapen” meaning foreign. From what country. This idea of God’s love is unfathomable to you and I. It is that big. We are chosen by the Father and loved with a love that is unfathomable.

Shouldn’t that give you confidence.

I can imagine the audience reading this letter. They look outside the church walls and see the gnostics, in all of their intellict and think wow, they are so much better than us, so much greater than us. And John reminds them, no. You, you Christ follower do not take the backseat. You have confidence in who’s you are and go!

Do you think our world looks similar today?

Children of the Enemy have Shame

John tells us that the other response when Jesus returns is shame. You are going to belong to one side or the other. The perfect righteousness of God will be revealed and those who do not know the savior will be left in shame.

That should motivate us in two ways: #1 If we do not know the Father, this should motivate us to move from shame to confidence. #2 This should move us to share the Gospel, weep for those who are far from the Father.

The parables of the “lost”

Children of God have Hope v. 3

We as children of the Heavenly Father have hope.

The world is a dark and daunting place. It was for the 1st century church as it is for us today. John reminds us that we have a hope. Think about the scenario that is taking place we just read it last week, followers were dropping like flies. How many have you seen leave the faith? John says don’t lose hope. Don’t let that lead you to doubt.

John wasn’t simply writing to reassure the readers’ wavering faith. John wants the reader to know, set your mind on Jesus, put your hope in Jesus and you will begin to live differently. Our hope in Jesus’s return is our purity. Our purity is not found in ritual but rather in reliance on Jesus.

We also have hope because we are not bound by sin.

Someone who is bound has no hope.

Think about a prisoner. They cannot hope. They know their destination. They have no freedom. Church today you and I have freedom from sin because of Jesus Christ!

Children of the Enemy are Bound by sin

We see in the next 7 verses John deals with the topic of sin. Children of the enemy are bound to sin.

Look at John’s words “The one who commits sins is of the devil. And if you commit sins you practice lawlessness.

Don’t the terms “lawless” and “bound” seem to be contradictory?

Laws give us freedom not shackles.

Children of God Have Freedom from sin

We have freedom from both the act of sin and its punishment

We celebrate the freedom of punishment but do we celebrate and lean into the freedom that you and I have from its act?

John is not saying “Christians will not sin” chapter 1 he literally called them out for thinking so. No John is saying we cannot continue in sin.

In the greek this passage was written with continous verbs. We cannot go on sinning. The reader of this leader would self reFlect and ask “Am I sinning? Where can I repent and change my mind”

We know that both this conviction and repentence only comes from the spirit the Father gives us. John himself even wrote in his Gospel “Look here comes the one to take away our sin.

If you are , and I know we are, struggling with a sin today, I want to encourage you in two ways.

1: In living in this sin am I reflecting Christ or the Enemy?

2: Open your hands, say Jesus, I need both your sacrificial forgiveness and spirit to get me out of this sin.