PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE/1 JOHN 2:29-3:3
If you want to be good at anything, then you must practice, practice,
practice. This is true of every field of endeavor–sports, a trade,
etc. And, what is true in the physical realm, is also true in the
spiritual realm. John, the author of the book we continue to study,
encourages us to practice, practice, practice in the spiritual realm.
And, he gives us the reason why we should do so. We begin this morning
by considering ...
I) THE PRACTICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS–1 JOHN 2:29
A) John begins this section with an "If/then"
statement. He says, "If you know this ..., then you will know
that ..." So, what is it we should know? We should know that
"if it is true that Jesus (the One who is coming cf. 1 John 2:28)
is righteous (1 John 2:1), then it is also true that those who
practice righteousness (as a lifestyle) are ‘begotten’ (born) of
God/His children." "Righteous conduct is not a condition for
rebirth (salvation) but a consequence of it." Furthermore,
righteousness as defined as right standing with God comes only to those
in a right relationship with Jesus Christ by faith in His person and
works. It is the works of Christ that save, not our works. The works we
do, after salvation, are a proof of the righteousness of Christ that has
been credited to our account.
B) It is important to consider that some folks will seemingly
"practice righteousness." In other words, their lives will seemingly
meet the external demands of righteousness. But these visible activities
are not what John would classify as the practice of righteousness. For
one’s deeds to be consider righteous, one must first be in a right
relationship with God through personal faith/trust in Jesus Christ the
righteous. Only the truly born again can have any confidence, at all,
that their works are considered righteous by God. Let’s hear afresh
the words of Paul from Ephesians 2:8-10 to further elaborate the
point. John moves us on to consider ...
II) THE GREAT LOVE OF GOD–1 JOHN 3:1
A) There is no greater love than the love of God. John now
highlights that love for us in verse 1. John’s thoughts of
birth in 1 John 2:29 led him to talk about God’s love, a love
that results in us being called "children of God." Here’s
something to consider: We were once not the children of God, but rather
the children of the devil. But God, while we were in such a state,
demonstrated His own love toward us by sending Christ to die for us cf.
Romans 5:8-11. What a love! Doing for us what we could not do for
ourselves–He saved us.
B) The phrase "children of God" is to be understood
in its exclusive and inclusive sense, lest we misunderstand and misapply
the title. By exclusive, I mean that such a title does not belong to all
by virtue of natural birth, which is the common interpretation and
application of the title/phrase. Let’s look at John 1:12-13 to
understand this point. By inclusive, I mean that God’s love will save
people from every tribe, nation, tongue, and background. This is the
point of John 3:16. One more passage to consider as it relates to
this point is Revelation 5:9-10. God changes our nature, out of
His love for us, by means of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And, those
God changes are those who can have confidence that they are
"children of God."
C) All of this creates a natural and spiritual barrier between
folks–those who are the children of God because of the love of God,
and those who are the creation of God yet left to themselves. So, we
should, as believers, expect the world to look on us with suspicion, and
even disdain. Yet, it is worth it to be called by God Himself
"children of God." John next moves to a thought that is ...
III) HARD TO FATHOM–V.2
A) In this verse John again affirms our identity–"we
are children of God." And, as such, there is more to consider, as
if it weren’t hard enough to fathom being called children of God (1
Corinthians 2:9). John says that when Jesus appears/comes (1 John
2:28), we will be like Him, and this is possible only because we
will see Him as He is–glorious cf. John 17:1,5,24; Romans 8:29; 1
Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:4,21; Colossians
3:4. What a hope! And this hope leads to ...
IV) A HOPE THAT PURIFIES–V.3
A) This hope, what we are and shall be, motivates us to live
as Christ lived–pure. The children of God, with the promises given in
mind, are constantly in the process of purifying themselves. Did you
hear that? Purifying themselves. This process of purifying oneself is
called "sanctification." Sanctification is the daily process
of becoming more like Christ. None of this should be considered as a
means to salvation. Salvation is the work of God alone, not a
cooperative effort. So, there should be no greater motivation to holy
living than God’s love for sinners, like us, and the promise we will
be like Christ when it is all said and done. All of this starts with
God’s eternal plan to save for Himself a people, through the perfect
life of His Son. This highlights that we cannot in any way save
ourselves, nor should we take credit for the change that only God can
bring. To God alone belongs the glory, praise, and honor for salvation.
