What is supposed to happen after we ask Jesus to be our personal Lord and Savior? The biblical expectation is that we no longer live as a child of this world but as a child of God, that our behavior actually changes both in our own eyes and in view of those around us. John provides us not with the theoretical theology of what it means to be a child of God, but the practical application steps that give us confidence and knowledge that we’re actually achieving this goal.
Q: Is being called children of God just a noble title or label?
A: No. It is the result and evidence of the very love of God.
Q: Why is it that only children really understand the depth of love of a parent? How does this apply to what we know about God versus what the world knows?
A: No one really experiences firsthand the love of a parent except their children; others can only observe and comment on what it looks like, but not actually speak from experience. Because the world is an outside observer, it cannot fully grasp the depth and quality of our relationship as His children.
Q: What is the biblical definition of “hope”? How does it apply in its usage here?
A: Biblical hope is “future fact”; it’s having knowledge grounded in the fact that God has already accomplished in the future something just as sure as a thing already accomplished in the past. In this context, our hope — the future fact of the matter — is that we will see Him just as He is and be like Him.
Q: How is this hope supposed to be evident — visible to both ourselves and everyone around us — in THIS life?
A: We purify our self “just as He is pure”. The biblical definition of “pure” is “unpolluted by sin”.
Q: How is this paragraph contrasted to the previous? Summarize and compare the basic thought.
A: This paragraph identifies the characteristics of the children of the devil; the previous paragraph the characteristics of the children of God.
Q: What is the 1 defining difference between the children of the devil and the children of God?
A: The children of the devil practice sin and lawlessness; the children of God practice righteousness.
Point: The difference between these groups is not the intensity of their love or feelings, but the degree of their obedience.
Q: Does v.9 mean that it’s impossible for the children of God to sin?
A: The context of the phrase “and he cannot sin” is only understood properly as applied to “His seed abides in him”. This means that obedience to God’s ways is growing more and more within us and we therefore actively seek NOT to sin. A visible indicator of the child of God is his/her disdain for, and avoidance of, sin.
Q: What is the significance of the use of the word love in v.10 in the context of this passage?
A: Love of others is one of the results and visible indicators of our obedience to God, not just something we proclaim with our mouth. The only way to achieve God’s love in our life for others is through our personal obedience to God first and foremost.
Q: First, what was the difference between Cain and Abel as it applies to us in this discussion?
A: Cain’s deeds were evil (the child of the devil), Abel’s deeds were righteous (the child of God). Both were acknowledging God’s existence in offering their sacrifices, but their true beliefs were born out by what they practiced, not mere thoughts or talk.
Q: Second, how is the example of Cain and Abel applicable to John’s discourse so far?
A: It’s the oldest biblical example that the evidence and fruit of an obedient relationship with God is in our love for others. We know that we are to love each other, but it’s only possible to the same degree as our obedience to God’s Word.
[Note: Sometimes — to understand Scripture properly within context — start with the last thought and work backwards to discover how it is defined in its proper context.]
Q: Who will never achieve eternal life?
A: Those who break the law, such as murderers.
Q: What is the biblical definition of a “murderer”?
A: Not just one who physically kills another, but someone who merely hates others or shows no love for them.
Q: Working back to v.14 then, who WILL achieve eternal life? How are they described?
A: Those who “love the brethren”. They are described as having “passed out of death into life”.
Q: In the preceding verses, what did we learn was the only way we can love others?
A: If we’re obedient, practicing God’s righteousness.
Q: So why will the world hate the children of God?
A: Just as Cain hated Abel, the world hates anyone who actually practices righteousness rather than just talking about it like they do.
Q: How is this a practical application and proof of the presence of God’s love in our life for others?
A: We care for their life even more than our own. We cannot simply SAY we love someone if we allow the needs we can address to go unfulfilled. It’s not just about laying down our physical life for another, but subordinating the quality of our life to the needs of others.
Application: Provide an example of when you’ve successfully applied this teaching in real life, and when you haven’t. How will you measure your love for others going forward?
Q: So what is the evidence that God’s truth has taken residence in our life?
A: Whether or not our heart bears witness to the presence of sin in our life.
Q: Why is a convicting heart the assurance our heart has become the heart of God?
A: Because His truth has taken root to such a degree that we WANT to identify and cleanse all potential pollutants of sin from poisoning our heart and, by extension, our love. Lack of conviction indicates a heart so polluted that it no longer cares either for itself personally or for others corporately.
Q: So what are the circumstances under which we would come to God timidly, NOT confident in our standing in the presence of God the King and Father?
A: If we have been disobedient, not responding to the convictions of our heart.
Q: How can we be assured that we are personally “pleasing in His sight”?
A: By keeping His commandment and responding to the convictions of our heart.
Q: What is the term John uses to summarize the chief characteristic of the life of a child of God?
A: Abide. It means to stay in a constant, right relationship with our Father through His Son Jesus.