Part 9 of the sermon series on the Letters of John
The apostle warns believers that they are living in the “last hour.” One evidence is the presence of many antichrists, false teachers. These individuals seemed to be part of the community but ultimately departed. It proved that they did not truly belong. In contrast, true believers received an anointing from the Lord. The anointing signifies the knowledge of the truth. John calls the readers to remain grounded in the truth. The apostle reassures believers that they know the truth and can discern lies, particularly those that deny Christ Jesus.
Children, Not of the World
John highlights the love of God by calling those who believe in Christ His children (Jn 1:12-13). The apostle explained why the world does not know the genuine children of God. The reason is that they do not know Him. It takes one to know one.
1 John 3:1: 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.
John 1:12-13: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
The world does not know God and His people, and neither should the believer love the world. Knowing God and Jesus Christ is eternal life (John 17:3). It means believing, which results in not loving the world (1Jn 2:15-17), nor hating the members of the community of faith.
Children like Him
John mentions the believers’ state as children of God. Who are God’s children? Those born of God through faith. They keep His commands, and do not love the world. Yet, the concept of eternal life may be difficult for mortals to grasp. John assures the believer that, like Christ, they will live forever (Jn 14:19).
1 John 3:2: 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.
One perspective is that believers will have a glorified body like Christ’s, but John did not provide details. Yet, John’s concern is not so much with the dynamics of a resurrected body. His focus was on purity.
Purify the Self
John further explains that those who have a hope of His promise must purify themselves. The reason? Because Christ is pure. Is this the purity from sin? Yes, the child of God must not hate, and must not love the world. Is this a purity of doctrine? Yes, the child of God must remain in what the apostles taught.
1 John 3:3: And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
It means sin cannot be the lifestyle of the believer. A true believer does not love the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. The one truly born of God may battle against sin, but he cannot live a sinful lifestyle.
Application
Give thanks to the Lord God for His love. He made us children through believing in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Those with genuine faith are born of God, not man. This separates us from the world.
What does eternal life look like? It may not be revealed in detail, yet we believe, as the Scripture says, we shall be like Him. Let us praise God for the future resurrected body, as well as the purity that we will possess.
Let us confess our sins to purify our hearts. Let us love the brotherhood, and not hate. Let us not love the world, for that is not of God. Let us also purify our doctrine and not allow false teaching to influence us.
Poem
What Kind of Love?
by Ed Pilapil Jr.
O, what manner of love is this?
In the verses, it’s hard to miss
Believers are called His children
Such words cannot be forgotten
John would give an explanation
About the world’s situation
The Father, the world does not know
About Him, their minds are hollow
Just His Word can fill the hollow
The Father and Son, we must know
Understand the situation
To have a clear explanation
Christ’s work should not be forgotten
Taught and proclaimed by God’s children
In Christ, we cannot lose or miss
Hearts must be pure; remember this
Study Guide
1. Explain the kind of love that the Father has for us.
2. What does John mean that we will be like Him?
3. What should believers do, considering they have this hope of His appearing?
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