By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church
Have you seen the Children of the Father? They look just like Him. They act just like Him. They have Jesus on their license plates. They act just like Him when they drive, when they work, and when they live. They are the children of God and brothers of Jesus.
The Spirit of God is always the spirit of liberty; the spirit that is not of God is the spirit of bondage, the spirit of oppression and depression. The Spirit of God convicts vividly and tensely, but He is always the Spirit of liberty. God who made the birds never made birdcages; it is men who make birdcages, and after a while we become cramped and can do nothing but chirp and stand on one leg. When we get out into God's great free life, we discover that that is the way God meant us to live "the glorious liberty of the children of God." From Bible Illustrator.
We do not want suffering; we want success. We identify not with those who are low and hurt but with those who are high and healthy. We don't like lepers or losers very well; we prefer climbers and comers. For Christians, the temptation to be conformed to this world is desperately sweet and strong. Yet, says the apostle Paul, we are children of God if we suffer with Christ. ... God does not give his hardest assignments to his weakest children. -- Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., in Assurances of the Heart. Christianity Today, Vol. 38, no. 7.
One afternoon, our 5-year-old daughter, Katie, was singing a Scripture song we had recently learned. While my husband and I listened proudly, she came to a verse about becoming blameless. Katie confidently sang out, "Do everything without arguing, that you may become brainless and pure, children of God" (Phil. 2:14-15). -- Lynn Hall, Worland, WY. Today's Christian Woman, "Heart to Heart."
Scripture Text: 1John 3:1 (NIV) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 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. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
1
Joh 3:1 (NIV) How great is the love the Father has lavished on
us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The
reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
a. Children of God like Jesus, have the love of the Father in them. Love from the Father is seen in the children of God. It is a giving love called agape. Children of God like Jesus are not known and accepted by the world. They are treated in the world like Jesus was treated. The world does not know Jesus or us (children of God).
2
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been
made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall
see him as he is.
b. Children of God are God’s Children now. We are God’s children now. Children of God will be more revealed when he is more revealed when He comes. We will be like Him when He is revealed. We have been born from above. We give ourselves to Him.
3
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
c. Children of God have hope in Him so that now they are pure just as He. The children recognize the Lord who keeps his promises. They are willing to live for Him because they know that He knows best. We have our hope in Him, therefore we are pure as He is.
4
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
d. Children of God are like Jesus in that they fulfill the law of Christ by the Spirit. As they become more and more like Him they obey the Lord. Sin is lawlessness or reckless disregard for the desires of God. The law shows us that we are all sinners.
5 But
you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no
sin.
e. Children of God are revealed by their self-sacrificing life. They give of themselves for the benefit of others. He took away sins and in him is found 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.
f. Children of God try to follow Him. Following Him we become like him who has no sin. We are trying to be who He wants us to be.
7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
g. Children of God seek to do what is pleasing to God. This is what is right. He is righteous and so are we if we do what is right. We will do what is right if we are following Him.
Are we trying to be who God wants us to be? Have we given ourselves over to Him? Will we follow the Lord’s plan for our lives? Children of God give themselves to Him. Will you? Will you be His child? Then follow Him. Give yourself to Him. Pick up your cross and follow Jesus. Be set free from the cage of sin and allow God to make you in the image of His only begotten Son. Give yourself to Him. He gave Himself for you.