BIBLE TEXT: 1 JOHN 3 : 1 - 18
>>MEMORY VERSE>>
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother (1 John 3:10 KJV).
>>CENTRAL TRUTH>>
Becoming a child of God results in a transformed life.
>>THE LESSON OUTLINE
1. GOD'S LOVE FREES FROM SATAN'S POWER
a. He Calls Us His Children --1 John 3:1-3
b. If We Keep on Sinning- 1John 3:4--6
2. CHILDREN OF GOD DEMONSTRATE RIGHTEOUSNESS
a. Christ Is Righteous -1 John 3:7-8
b. Born into God's Family -1 John 3:9-10
3. GOD'S PEOPLE LOVE ONE ANOTHER
a. Love Proves We Have Passed from Death to Life- 1 John 3:11-15
b. Love Defined-1 John 3:16--18
>>LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Understand that the Father's love motivates Him to call them His children.
Learn to recognise those who belong to Christ as those who choose to live in repentance and righteousness.
Be challenged to reveal God's character by loving one another.
INTRODUCTION
In 1 John 3, the apostle clearly reveals the Father's love and challenges us to guard against teachings that cause us to live in unrighteous ways. The Holy Spirit living in us enables us to stand against temptation, live in the righteousness of Christ, and show our love for God by loving one another.
COMMENTARY
1. GOD'S LOVE FREES FROM SATAN'S POWER
A. He Calls Us His Children– 1 John 3:1-3
Jesus warned His followers that if the world hated Him, it will hate us too (John 15:18-19). John added, "The people who belong to this world don't recognise that we are God's children because they don't know him" (1 John 3:1, NLT), Later in verse 13, he stated it even more clearly when he challenged us not to be surprised when the world hates us. This should encourage us not to seek our acceptance from people of the world, because we belong to God. As His children we can find our security, identity, and acceptance in our relationship with Him. God loves us dearly, and He is for us.
When we believe in Jesus and acknowledge Him as our Lord, we begin the process of becoming like Him. Our lives will reflect the character of Jesus in increasing ways as we grow to know Him more.
The apostle Paul tells us, "May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation -the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ for this will bring much glory and praise to God" (Philippians 1:11, NLT). This process of growth and transformation will continue until we see Jesus face to face.
As long as we live in these mortal bodies, we will face temptations and deal with the consequences pf sin. But the moment we pass from this life into the next, we will be made complete in His presence. We will no longer struggle with sin or endure the effects of sin, for our earthly bodies will take on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53-57).
Questions for Application
Why do we need to be reminded of God's great love for us?
How would you describe the assurance for God's children found in 1 John 3:1-3?
According to 1 John 3:3, "All who have this eager expectation [of being like Christ] will keep themselves pure" (NLT). How does this assurance and hope motivate you to live a pure life?
B. If We Keep on Sinning–1 John 3:4-6
The author of the book of of Hebrews tells us clearly that If we knowingly continue to sin after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no more sacrifice that will cover the sins. There is the terrible expectation of God's judgement and the raging fire that will consume his enemies" (Hebrews 10:26-27, NLT). Jesus paid the full price for our sins. When He forgives us, we have the choice and responsibility to live righteously. Hebrews 12 tells us how to walk away from sin and live the way God intends for His children:
"Let us lay aside every weight that slows us, mostly such sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race which God
has arranged before us. This is done by keeping our eyes fully focused on Jesus Christ, the champion who starts and perfects our faith. Therefore, due to the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is sitting at the right hand of God Almighty in the place of honor. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up" (verses 1-3, NLT).
To keep our eyes on Jesus, we must live in close relationship with Him, allowing God's Spirit and His Word to guide us into the kind of life designed for us as His children.
Questions for Application
What is the difference between committing a sin and continuing in sin?
How do you strip off every weight of sin and keep your eyes on Jesus.
2. CHILDREN OF GOD DEMONSTRATE RIGHTEOUSNESS
A. Christ Is Righteous–1 John 3:7-8
Since the Fall in Genesis 3, humans have been tempted to question God's Word: "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?" (verse 1, NLT). One of the enemy's favourite tactics is casting doubt God's Word, twisting and warping it to fit his agenda. Just like the original readers of 1 John, we need to be alert to any false teaching that says we can continue to live in sin and still belong to Christ. John emphasized again and again that our behaviours matter. While we can't earn our salvation by our works is by faith we have been saved - our righteous behaviour reveals that God's Spirit dwells in us. It is His grace and righteousness that empowers us to live free from the enslavement of sin.
The apostle Paul talked about this in Romans 6:
"Don't you realise that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You might be a habitual sinner, such as leads to death, or you can determine to obey God, which leads to righteous living. We appreciate God Almighty for you! Once you were slaves to sin, but now you are wholeheartedly willing to obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living'" (verses 16-18, NLT).
Christ's righteousness frees us from the entanglements of sin and enables us to live holy lives.
Questions for Application
What happened when Eve and Adam doubted the truth of God's command?
How can we guard against false teaching that causes us to question the validity or relevance of God's Word?
B. Born into God's Family– 1 John 3:9-10
We lean a great deal about being "born again" from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). Nicodemus was a Jewish leader who witnessed the miracles of Jesus, and unlike many other Pharisees, he believed the miracles were from God. Jesus told him, "Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God" (verse 3, NLT). Jesus helped Nicodemus understand the difference between physical birth and spiritual birth. Then Jesus told Nicodemus (and us) that God loved the world so much He sent His Son so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. Jesus came to give us life, and He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit lovingly convicts us of sin, reminds us what God's Word says, and leads us to righteousness. We depend on the Holy Spirit's help to live in a way that pleases God.
3. GOD'S PEOPLE LOVE ONE ANOTHER
a. Love Proves We Have Passed from Death to Life–1 John 3:11-15
John shares an example from Adam and Eve's family. Their son Cain whom John says "belonged to the evil one" (1 John :12, NLT) - killed his brother, Abel, because of Abel's righteous behaviour (Genesis 4:3-10). John then mentions Jesus' warning in John 15:18 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first" (NLT). Within 1 John 3:11-15, John contrasts life and death, children of God and children of the devil, and love and hate. He challenges us with this clear statement: "If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life" (verse 14, NLT).
How is this proof made evident? Many Scriptures help us clearly understand the way God's children should walk in the fullness of Spirit and reflect the life of Christ. The apostle Paul provided two very contrasting lists in Galatians 5 -the fruit of the flesh (sin) and the fruit of the Spirit (righteousness). Anyone can say they love God, but a person's behaviour is the true litmus test. Those whose lives display the fruit of the flesh prove they belong to sin: "If you follow the desires of your sinful heart, the results are very obvious: immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, Sorcery, hostility, quarrel, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins. Let me tell you again, as I have already told you before, that anyone living like that will not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21, NLT).
After giving us this list, Paul described what it looks like when the Holy Spirit is leading our lives. The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! The people who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their passions and desires to His cross and crucified them there. Therefore, since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's guidance and leadership in every part of our lives. (Galatians 5:22-25, NLT)
These two lists describe
opposite ways of interacting with one another-the fruit of the flesh fosters hate and death, while the fruit of the Spirit brings love and life.
Questions for Application
How can someone's righteous life make a sinful person uncomfortable ? How have you seen this play out in families, workplaces, and communities?
What is the correlation between darkness, hate, and death? What is the correlation between light, love, and life?
How does love prove we have passed from death to life?
B. Love Defined–1 John 3:16-18
Jesus' commandment in John 15:12 was, "Love each other in the same way I have loved you" (NLT).
Consider all the ways Jesus demonstrated His love for us:
• He willingly left heaven and came to the Earth as a helpless infant.
• He valued people who were considered less important in His culture, including children, women, sinners, and Gentiles.
He healed the sick, fed the hungry, calmed storms, forgave sinners, raised the dead, embraced outcasts, and touched the untouchables.
• He endured undeserved ridicule and willingly lay down His life so we could be forgiven of our sins.
• He didn't leave us alone. Instead, He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
The way Jesus loves us is the opposite of the self-gratifying love of the world around us. He truly wants what is best for us! Loving like Jesus means we always act in the best interest of those we love. It is a self- sacrificing love.
Questions for Application
What does so-called "love" look like when it is motivated by selfishness?
How would you define the love of Christ as described in 1 John 3:16-18? What does it look like for a believer to love this way?
Call to Discipleship
Becoming a child of God results in a transformed life. The transformation we talk about is seen in our decision to live righteously. It doesn't mean we're perfect; rather it means we recognize our sin, and are quick to repent and adjust our lives to better reflect Christ. This righteousness is seen most clearly in our love for each other. And this love is always focused on what is best for others.
Ministry in Action
Read 1 Corinthians 13, and insert your name everywhere you see the word love. Re-examine yourself if you are truly demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ within your environment.
Think about how you can help and meet a fellow believer's needs. Then take the necessary steps to follow through.
Tell someone about Jesus' unconditional, extravagant love.
Daily Bible Reading
Monday: Being the People of God.–Leviticus 26:9-13
Tuesday: God's People Forever.– 2 Samuel 7:18-24
Wednesday: Promises to God's People.– Jeremiah 31:31-40
Thursday: The Right to Become God's Children.– John 1:6-12
Friday: Confirmed as God's Children.– Romans 8:16-21
Saturday: Children of God by Faith.–Galatians 3:24-29.
