1 John chapter three speaks powerfully to the theme of identity as God’s children and the behaviors and assurances that accompany this divine relationship.
It is a rich passage that explores how love manifests in the believer’s heart and life—marked by both understanding who they are in Christ and how they are to live in response to God’s profound love.
The weighty matters of spiritual deception and the distinguishing marks of true Christian practice are also addressed, offering believers guidance and encouragement to live out their faith authentically.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On 1 John Chapter Two here.
This chapter further illuminates the contrast between living in sin versus living in Christ, vividly depicting the transformative hope and future glory promised to those who abide in Him.
It’s not simply an encouragement but a call to action—an exhortation to see our lives as part of God’s greater story. With its focus on practical application merged with deep theological truths, 1 John 3 serves as an invaluable resource for any preacher looking to draw out its timeless lessons.
Key Takeaways
- Divine love calls for a changed life reflective of God’s character.
- Assurance in faith comes with recognizing one’s identity as a child of God.
- Understanding 1 John 3 is crucial for discerning authentic Christian living.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On 1 John Chapter One here.
The Character of God’s Children
The character of God’s children according to 1 John chapter three is marked by a transformative relationship with God that is seen in one’s actions and disposition.
This reflection of divine character comes through being born of God, avoiding sin and lawlessness, and striving for purity and righteousness.
| Section | Theme | Key Verses | Commentary Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Children of God | 1 John 3:1-3 | Highlights the love of God in calling us His children and the hope of being like Christ when He appears. |
| 2 | Sin and Lawlessness | 1 John 3:4-6 | Defines sin as lawlessness and explains that abiding in Christ means not sinning. |
| 3 | Practicing Righteousness | 1 John 3:7-10 | Contrasts the children of God with the children of the devil by the practice of righteousness and love. |
| 4 | Love One Another | 1 John 3:11-15 | Reiterates the message from the beginning to love one another, contrasting it with the example of Cain. |
| 5 | Love in Action | 1 John 3:16-18 | Encourages believers to love not only in words but in actions and truth. |
| 6 | Confidence Before God | 1 John 3:19-22 | Discusses how genuine actions assure our hearts before God, leading to confidence in His presence. |
| 7 | Commandments and Pleasing God | 1 John 3:23-24 | Summarizes the commandments to believe in Jesus and love each other, which are the essence of pleasing God. |
Born of God
Children of God are those who have experienced a new birth, a spiritual regeneration that sets them apart from the world. This rebirth signifies they are begotten of God, implying a fundamental change in their nature.
They possess traits that point to their divine lineage, as being born relates not just to a moment of decision, but also to a continuous state of being that reflects God is light.
Sin and Lawlessness
The Apostle John places a clear demarcation between God’s children and sin; they do not indulge in lawlessness.
Righteousness is incompatible with a practice of sin because God’s seed abides in them, ensuring they cannot persist in sin. This ongoing transformation stands as evidence of their rebirth, showing a distinct pattern of life that shuns darkness for light.
Purity and Righteousness
The pursuit of purity and righteousness is not a solitary endeavor but a corporate identity of God’s children. They are purified by the hope of Christ’s return, a hope that motivates them towards purity, emulating God’s character.
The anticipation of being like Christ when he appears propels them towards a life that consistently mirrors the purity of God. Through this pursuit, they demonstrate their true identity as adopted sons and daughters of God.
Manifestations of Divine Love
In exploring 1 John Chapter Three, it is clear that the Apostle John emphasizes divine love as the bedrock of Christian life, manifesting through Christ’s Sacrifice, the Love of God in Believers, and Brotherly Love and Self-Sacrifice.
Christ’s Sacrifice
The ultimate expression of divine love is found in Christ’s Sacrifice. John presents Jesus’s death on the cross as the critical juncture at which divine love was demonstrated to humanity.
This sacrifice transcends mere human understanding, representing both the incarnation of God’s love and the means by which eternal life becomes accessible.
Love of God in Believers
The Love of God in believers manifests as an internal and transformative experience. Through this process, individuals come to know God, recognizing that God is love.
John asserts that the indwelling of this love equips believers to love others as God has loved them, which is a distinctive marker of one who has been reborn in spirit.
Brotherly Love and Self-Sacrifice
Lastly, Brotherly Love and Self-Sacrifice are seen as tangible evidences of living in God’s love. John strongly ties the concept of love to actions, urging believers to love “in truth and action,” not in words alone.
This involves putting others’ needs before one’s own and is a reflection of Jesus’s own teachings and example. Such love contributes to a greater understanding of what it means to love the world as God does.
Evidence of Being in the Family of God
In the journey of faith, 1 John chapter three offers clear markers for those who are part of God’s family. These evidences serve as a spiritual litmus test, affirming one’s standing as children of the Heavenly Father.
Cherished Beloved
Those who understand their identity as the cherished beloved of the Heavenly Father display a profound recognition of His love.
They rest in the knowledge that they are “greatly loved by God” (Romans 1:7). This love is not based on fleeting emotions but on the solid truth of the Gospel that declares them part of God’s family.
Confidence Before God
Individuals who experience confidence before God showcase the transformative power of divine love. This confidence is not self-generated but rooted in their relationship with the Heavenly Father.
Their approach to God is without fear, for “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). They stand assured in God’s presence, knowing they are accepted and loved.
Keeping His Commandments
True family members of God exhibit their loyalty and love by keeping His commandments. Obedience is not a burdensome duty but a joyful response to the love they have received.
It’s a tangible expression of their ongoing relationship with God, affirming that “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3). Their actions reflect the character and directives of their Heavenly Father.
Confronting Spiritual Deception
In addressing the challenge of spiritual deception, 1 John Chapter 3 provides valuable lessons for believers.
These include the identification and rejection of false teachings, understanding the conflict with early heresies, and discerning the nature of true faith.
False Teachers and Antichrists
The Apostle John warns of false teachers, often referred to as antichrists, who lead believers astray. These individuals deny crucial doctrines, such as the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. Revelation of their deception comes through their departure from the core teachings of the gospel, contrasting with the continuity and consistency observed in the teaching of true believers.
Followers of Christ need to be vigilant to recognize and reject the manipulations of such false teachers.
Conflict with Gnosticism
John’s epistle directly conflicts with Gnosticism, a prevalent early heretical movement that claimed secret knowledge for spiritual elite and often dismissed the significance of Jesus’ physical incarnation and atonement.
This heresy undermines the very essence of saving faith, which acknowledges both the full deity and humanity of Jesus. By underscoring Christ’s real and tangible actions for humanity’s redemption, John upholds the authentic Christian faith against Gnostic misinterpretations.
Authentic Versus Spurious Faith
Authentic faith manifests in the way believers live, in their love for God and others, and their adherence to the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
On the contrary, spurious faith is revealed through a life incongruent with biblical teachings and a lack of fellowship with Christ and His followers.
The recipients of John’s letter are thus encouraged to reflect the reality of their faith in love and obedience, hallmarks of those truly born of God.
Living Hope and Future Glory
In 1 John Chapter 3, the concept of Living Hope and Future Glory is a pivotal theme, presenting a present assurance and a future promise anchored in the transformative identity as children of God and the expectation of Christlike righteousness.
Present Reality and Future Hope
The Present Reality and Future Hope are tightly interwoven in 1 John 3. Believers experience a transformative relationship with God now, embodying a living hope that permeates their daily lives.
This is not a passive state but an active assurance that propels them towards a future that holds even greater promises.
The Revelation of Sons of God
Acknowledging believers as the Sons of God unveils a significant status change. This designation is not merely titular but experiential, linking their current identity directly with the divine nature of God.
It is this revelation that stirs within them an eager anticipation for the time when this relationship will be fully realized and seen by all.
The Hope of Righteousness
The Hope of Righteousness refers to the confident expectation that believers will one day be made completely righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
This is not a future hope built on human effort but on the promise of transformation that comes from abiding in Him—it’s a future as certain as the present reality of God’s love and declaration over His children.
Christian Life and Practice
In examining 1 John Chapter Three, it becomes clear that the Christian journey is marked by a distinctive moral compass, an ongoing spiritual metamorphosis, and an active demonstration of love.
Within these parameters, the Christian life unfolds as a response to the recognition of sin and an embrace of the fruits of the Spirit.
Moral Conduct
The moral fabric of a Christian’s life is defined by a departure from sin and the pursuit of righteousness. 1 John 3 emphasizes that lawlessness is akin to sin, and they who practice righteousness are righteous, just as Christ is righteous (1 John 3:4-7).
A regenerated life does not comply with a sinful lifestyle, but aligns with the cardinal virtues of the faith, reflecting the forgiveness of sins offered through Christ.
Spiritual Transformation
Spiritual growth in a Christian’s life is marked by a profound transformation that goes beyond mere outward conformity to religious norms. This inner change is fueled by the Holy Spirit and results in the fruit of the Spirit becoming evident in a believer’s life—qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
This passage in 1 John also assures believers that they are children of God and will be like Him when Christ appears (1 John 3:1-2).
Love in Action
True love—as a definitive mark of Christian life—is actively lived out in practice. It offers tangible care and generosity to those in need, particularly fellow believers (1 John 3:16-18).
Love in this chapter is not just an emotion or sentiment, but an action that echoes the sacrificial love of Jesus. This deep, active love stands in stark contrast to the attitude of the unsaved, bolstering the community of believers against the hardships of hatred and indifference from the world.
Historical Context and Authorship
In examining the historical context and authorship of 1 John, it is pivotal to acknowledge the intertwined relationship of the Apostle John, the community of believers in Ephesus, and the attestations of early Church Fathers.
Apostle John and Ephesus
The Apostle John is traditionally understood to be the author of the First Epistle of John, likely penned from Ephesus. The exact date of composition is debated among scholars but is generally placed toward the end of the first century, somewhere between A.D. 85 and 95.
Ephesus was a prominent city in the Roman province of Asia Minor, known for its bustling trade, significant Jewish population, and the Temple of Artemis—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The influence of Gnosticism and other diverging beliefs prompted a response that is captured in John’s epistles, seeking to affirm the incarnation and divinity of Christ firmly.
Early Church Fathers
The authorship of this epistle has been historically supported by the testimonies of early Church Fathers. Notably, Polycarp, a disciple of John, provides an early link to the Johannine tradition.
Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp, further reinforces this connection, as he refers to John as the author of the epistle in his writings, solidifying the attribution to the Apostle John.
The pastoral nature of the letter suggests a concern for the spiritual well-being of the congregants facing internal and external challenges, with an emphasis on genuine Christian love and ethical living as hallmarks of true believers.
Final Exhortation and Conclusion
In the closing segment of 1 John chapter three, the author’s message is underscored by an impassioned plea for believers to adhere earnestly to the teachings they have received.
John emphasizes that the followers of Christ should maintain a lively and unwavering hope in what God promises, a hope that is rooted firmly in the transformative love of God.
Confidence in their faith is encouraged through a continuous practice of living by the truth, which encompasses keeping His commandments and manifesting brotherly love. Below, the key points of the final exhortation and its implications are summarized:
- Abiding in Love: The quintessence of the chapter is God’s immense love; believers are urged to dwell in that love and let it guide their daily interactions.
- Obedience as Proof: Adherence to divine commandments is portrayed not just as a duty, but as evidence of a true understanding and acceptance of God’s love.
- Confidence Through Righteousness: A righteous life, as depicted by John, leads to confidence before God, because it reflects His nature.
- Hope as Motivation: Hope in future glory, inspired by God’s promises, should serve as a compelling motivator for holy living.
The author wishes to leave the readers with a sense of determination to pursue a lifestyle that mirrors the teachings and moral expectations of their faith.
The overarching theme—resonating with divine love and manifested through acts of kindness and adherence to God’s will—serves as the foundational bedrock for the readers’ actions and attitudes.
