Central idea: Since you are going to be Christlike then, practice being Christlike now.
Introduction:
John is writing as a parent would to "dear children." Sometimes a parent will tell a child to
do something. Seemingly instinctively the child will ask, "Why?" Then the parent will answer,
"Because...."
That is what John is doing in this passage. John tells his dear children to be Christlike.
But he goes on to tell them
I. "Why Be Christlike?"
A. Be Christlike, because Jesus is coming. (v. 2.28, 3.2)
1. He is coming to judge. (2.28, "...when He appears, we may have confidence and not
be ashamed before Him at His coming." How we live now will directly affect how
we stand before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ. (cf. 1 Cor 3:12-15, 2 Cor 5:9-11)
2. He is coming to transform. (3.2) "...it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we
know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him...." (cf. Romans 8.29, 'conformed to the
image of His Son.')
B. Be Christlike, because of the love God has lavished upon us. (3.1)
1. Love makes people do crazy things.
2. Love makes people change their ways.
3. Love can turn a life around.
II. How are we going to be Christlike?
A. By Doing what's right. (2.29)
B. Purifying one's self (3.3)
Making a concscious choice to follow Jesus in every area of life, especially holiness.
"...just as he is...." (verse 3)
