1 John 3:1-17
Introduction
Families are like compasses; they point us to home. Similarly, a godly family can point believers to their heavenly Father and heavenly home. Believers are called children of the Father and are to relate to God as “Dad” and not merely as God the all-powerful Being. Pursuing God the Father in this relational aspect purifies the believer and creates the opportunity where God’s handiwork and power are increased. However, if the Father’s relationship with His children is more like a long-distance relationship, His work in the life of a believer will be lessened.
The purification available to members of God’s family requires righteousness. God’s children must not practice sin. When believers begin to adopt a heart posture towards sin, they will see sin as contrary to the pursuit and practice of righteousness in Christ. If you are a child of God and practice sin, you should feel convicted because you are not acting like your Father in heaven. As a child of God, you are to exemplify God’s attributes in your actions because you have the power to operate in your new nature as a believer. The new nature of God’s presence in your life expands your capacity to be like your Father. The more you walk in righteousness, the more you will be like Him, and the more you will be able to reject sinful behavior.
It is also important for believers to be like our Father in His love for people. Through our love for one another, we reflect the passion of God’s family. Love defined Biblically is to “compassionately, righteously, responsibly seek the well-being of another.” God’s love stands in direct opposition to hate. Hate is not only the extreme of taking another’s life but also an attitude. When we destroy other believers with our attitude or through our heart posture, we operate in Biblical hate. As children of God, we are called to illustrate love in action and not just talk about love as a verbal statement indicating our affection. Through our actions, we are to demonstrate practically and personally our care for one another because we are all part of a bigger family.
Getting Started
- How many children were in your family? Were you the oldest, youngest, or middle child? What did you like or dislike about your birth order?
- How do you view your biological family? Do you think of your family in a positive or negative light?
Let’s Get Personal
- As a believer, how do you view God’s family? Do you see God the Father as your Dad or as the all-powerful Being?
- Does your view of your biological family affect how you view God’s family? How does it affect how you relate to other brothers and sisters in Christ?
- How have you displayed love within your godly family? How have you displayed hate within God’s family?
Take the Next Step
- What practical actions can you take to display love towards your godly family? What does that look like day to day?
- Can you see the connection between your personal relationship with the Father and your brothers and sisters in Christ? How can you grow your relationship with the Father and consequently grow your relationship with your godly family?
- Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: John 1:29; John 13:34-35; Revelation 12:11; Matthew 16:23; 2 Peter 1:4; Genesis 4:15; 1 Peter 4:15; Titus 3:3; Luke 10:25-27; Romans 7:14-25; 2 Corinthians 3:18
Renew Your Mind
“And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself,
just as He is pure.”
1 John 3:3
