The Right Father Enhances Our Walk With Jesus Series

In 1969, the year I graduated from high school, 500,000 young people made a trip to Sullivan County and set up camp in Max Yasgur’s pasture. The Woodstock Music and Art Festival was billed as “three days of peace and music.” True believers see it as an era devoted to human advancement. Cynics and sceptics adamantly claim it was a demonstration of the lawlessness and naiveté of the day.

It was a countercultural movement. The utter chaos and mayhem brought about local and state laws to ensure that nothing like it would ever happen again. (The backlash kept a similar festival from happening in Kurthwood, LA). The theme, Three Days of Peace and Music, was more idealistic than the actual occurrence–abolition of laws, overt indulgence in drugs, free sex, and rebellion. Promoters failed to see that this could never bring about peace.

Woodstock ‘99 was another attempt at the same theme; it too ended in mayhem and violence. Teenagers faced off against the police, destroying trust, overturning cars, trashing equipment, looting, and setting fires while chanting, “I won’t do what you tell me.”

Even MTV commentators were stunned with what took place. Why? Were they not the parents who started the whole thing in the ‘60s?

Someone said, “Woodstock illustrates the complete failure of humanity’s attempt to achieve peace and love apart from God.” (Mike Hays) Many people have pushed the doctrine of sin to the edge, viewing it as too pessimistic.

Unfortunately, John saw the need to address the issue of sin among Christians; he saw the warning signs of lawlessness. Even today many appeals to grace and have no place for godly principles. John draws a contrast between the father of righteousness and the father of sin.

4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. I John 3:4-10

God’s nature is one of righteousness. He loves us and wants to bless us. Righteousness, forgiveness, and reconciliation are on His agenda. As children of God our character and conduct should reflect the heart of our Father.

Satan’s nature is one of lies and deception. He attempts to lead away from the love of God. He will tempt us to believe we are our own lawmaker. John says if we are children of the Devil our character and conduct will reflect the heart of our father.

It is sad how many children who grow up without a loving father. More critical are those who are traumatically abused by their fathers. John, this beloved pastor, is sensitive to how sin creeps in and eventually consumes a person to the point they live with incredible shame.

Let us be honest, John is genuinely concerned and wants the believers to understand that sin is a real problem that is incompatible with devotion to God. Gnosticism had a way of causing believers to become blinded to the reality of sin. The allure to follow philosophical teachings that pull us away from God is a powerful force; it leads us to believe this pseudo paths will lead to enlightenment and fulfillment.

John wants the believers to understand that one of the goals of God is holiness: God is passionate about purifying us.

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. . . Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 2:28, 3:1

God’s primary mission in the world is to help people know Him and worship him in truth and spirit. John sees how the vision of God is becoming distorted. This would fall under the category of heresies he discussed in chapter two.

I. CHILDREN OF GOD DO NOT REBEL BY REDEFINING SIN TO MAKE IT MORE COMFORTABLE TO LIVE LIFE–IMPEDING OUR ABILITY TO LIVE LIVES THAT ARE PLEASING TO GOD