The Children Of God Series

Scripture

The Apostle John wrote his first letter to correct the false teaching that was being taught by false teachers. He set out three tests to evaluate whether one has a relationship with God: the test of obedience (in 1 John 2:3-6), the test of love (in 1 John 2:7-11), and the test of doctrine (in 1 John 2:18-27).

John now once again set out three tests by expanding upon them. He set out the test of obedience (in 1 John 2:28-3:10), the test of love (in 1 John 3:11-18), and the test of doctrine (in 1 John 4:1-6).

Today, we are going to begin examining the test of obedience. In John’s expansion on this test, he addressed his beloved flock as the children of God. He shows that God’s children are obedient because of the hope that they have.

Let’s read about the children of God in 1 John 2:28-3:3:

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

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. 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. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 2:28-3:3)

Introduction

The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines hope as “a feeling of expectation and desire.” So, for example, we may say, “I hope that the weather will be good tomorrow so we can go to the beach.” Or the single person may say, “I hope one day to meet the person of my dreams.” Or the parent may say, “I hope my children will grow up and be productive citizens.” Or the retiree may say, “I hope I don’t outlive my retirement income.” Each of these statements expresses expectation or desire.

The biblical definition of hope is entirely different than the Concise Oxford English Dictionary definition of hope. Biblical hope, according to John MacArthur, “is not a wish but an absolute future reality guaranteed by the Lord.” So, for example, the Apostle Paul talks about “the hope of salvation” (in 1 Thessalonians 5:8) by which he means “the certainty of salvation.” Biblical hope is something that is certain, sure, and guaranteed.

Lesson

First John 2:28-3:3 teaches us about the hope of the children of God.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. They Abide in Him (2:28)

2. They Practice Righteousness (2:29)

3. They Have a New Identity (3:1)

4. They Will Be Transformed (3:2)

5. They Purify Themselves (3:3)

I. They Abide in Him (2:28)

First, the children of God have hope because they abide in him.

John writes in verse 28, “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” John once again refers to his beloved flock as “little children.” It is his term of endearment for the believers under his care. He urges them to “abide in him,” that is, to remain and rest in Jesus. They are not to look for new experiences in false teaching. When Jesus returns, believers will have confidence because they have remained steadfast in Jesus. John knows that believers are those whose lives have been radically transformed by the new birth. Their obedience to God is evidence of the new life that they have in Jesus.

We don’t have the false teaching of Gnostic heresy today. In our day, however, some people are caught up in the prosperity gospel. People are promised healing or they are promised wealth. Generally, to reap the benefit of healing or wealth, people are asked to “sow a seed by faith.” This is a monetary “seed” that goes to the preacher. If by chance, healing or a financial windfall occurs, that is touted as proof for the claim of sowing a seed will produce results. But that is manipulative hogwash. We are to grow in our relationship with Jesus by abiding in him. We abide in Jesus by reading his word and applying his word to our lives. And that is how we grow in him.

II. They Practice Righteousness (2:29)

Second, the children of God have hope because they practice righteousness.

John writes in verse 29, “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” John is talking about the righteousness of Jesus. He is encouraging his flock in the truth about the righteousness of Jesus, whom they know and profess. Because they believe that Jesus is righteous and because they themselves practice righteousness, they may be encouraged by the truth that they have been born of him. John is asserting once again that obedience flows from new life rather than new life has been given because of obedience.