To Be a Child of the Father: Love, Inheritance, and Purity
Notes
Transcript
This morning, we will see John expand on the idea that those who have been saved have been born of Christ and thus born again. This is a glorious thought and one that we consider often. These three verses will delve deeper into the idea of being reborn as well as the implications of being born again. In looking into this, I want us to observe, consider, and remember. First, we
Observe the love of the Father
Observe the love of the Father
The idea of being children of God is not a foreign one to the bible. For instance, John 1:12-13 says, “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood nor the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God.” It is important that we begin with the reminder that the right to be called a child of God comes first from God, not having to do with any sort of action of our own.
You know by now that I love looking at the meaning of words and one of the ways that I like to do that is by comparing various translations.
ESV: See what king of love
KJV: Behold, what manner of love
NASB2020: See how great a love
Each of these translations invite the reader to think about the love that the Father has for us, that we would be considered apart of His family. This is always made with astonishment. It is with great amazement that we observe this love.
One commentator noted that “what kind”, “How great”, or “what manner” can be seen as “of what world”. It is as if John is implying that the Father has is not of this world and we would agree that the love the Father has is not of this world. Indeed, the love that the Father has that He would provide the necessary sacrifice of His son so that we might be considered as His children is certainly nothing that has been observed in this world.
What exactly is it that makes the love that the Father has given to us so notable. It is sacrificial in nature. The very nature of Jesus’ death on the cross is sacrificial because Jesus sacrificed His body AND the Father sacrificed His son.
This love is also adoptive in nature. Listen to what Paul says in the first chapter of Ephesians:
In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will…” There is a gospel beauty to the idea of adoption. There are certainly examples in the world and even in our own congregation of adoption but the level to which God has predestined this is what makes the love all that more significant.
This love is unconditional. It is available to all people, no matter the depth of sin that a person has committed. This is a level of love that is unimaginable in the world. There are always levels of offense that would turn a person away from loving another. Yet, the forgiveness that the Father offers and transfers to sonship is breathtaking.
The world simply does not understand the follower of Christ which is why John makes this statement at the last half of this verse. They have not understood this love which is why they do not know God. And because they do not know God, they do not respect the devotion that we have to Him. And even when we explain the gospel, the response is usually met with opposition based on opinion rather than fact. The fact is that God loves the world.
Finally, as we observe this love, may we imitate John’s wonder and have others see. Point at this love, hoping that as others observe His love, that they might turn their lives to Him and make the commitment that they might be born again!
Next, we
Consider the results of our inheritance
Consider the results of our inheritance
What are the end results of being a child of God? I say end results because it would be easy to think about the forgiveness of sins or the fact that we are saved from a life of sin. John looks once again at the second coming of Christ and states quite clearly that when He appears, two things will happen. First, we will see Him and when we do there will be a realization of the second thing. Many hymns have been written over the years about the moment when we meet our Lord. Much will happen but I believe we will stand in awe of Him. One important point about His appearance is made in Colossians 3:4: When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.” The point made here is that it will be a glorious moment when we are reunited with Jesus.
Second, we will become like Him. Philippians 3:20-21 point to this exact same result: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
John notes at this point that we cannot know exactly what we will be like as His children who have been redeemed but what we can know is that we will be glorious as He is.
How can this be? We are reminded so often that we are far from glorious we are. In examining my own life, I see my imperfections up close and personal. I read God’s word and remember the life I’ve been called to live and compare it to the life that I’m living. But when we are rejoined with Jesus as a child of God the Father, having been sustained by the Holy Spirit, we will be washed from the stain of sin forever. It is in that moment that we will be restored back to the perfect image of God that we were made in from the beginning. As Adam and Eve walked with God in Eden, we too will be with Him once again.
I must note that these things will happen at the same time and not in succession. I had to state them as first and second but we should keep in mind that these two things will happen at the same moment. We will see Him and be restored to our heavenly form at the same time.
The result of this inheritance as a child of God is taking on His glorious appearance. We shall be like Him in heaven, we just don’t know what that will be like at this point.
Finally, as we look at verse 3, we must
Remember our obligation to pursue purity
Remember our obligation to pursue purity
Have you ever known an entitled kid. Maybe it was a preachers kid at another church who acted like he could do whatever he wants because of who his dad is? Or someone simply stating, “I know people” and assuming that they will be allowed to do whatever they want? John tells the children of God that they ought not act like this.
We have a confident expectation of heaven. Just because we have this hope does not mean we should walk this earth as if we have some sort of entitlement to do whatever we want. Our hope is that we will someday be rejoined with Jesus on the new earth! But that does not leave us without any obligation here on earth.
Because the blood of Christ has cleansed us, we now have an obligation to maintain that purity. Yes, are unable to do this on our own will, but it is because the Holy Spirit dwells within us, that we pursue holiness. We have an obligation toward holiness.
I’m afraid that we, including myself, have lost sight of this duty to pursue holy living above all else. We have discussions about Christian liberty and right and wrong but holiness ought to be a driving factor in that conversation. A significant aspect of the glory of God that we will one day take part in as well is His holiness. As His children, we should desire to take on the holiness that our heavenly Father possesses.
This reminder of His love should push us toward holiness. The thought of our inheritance ought to push us toward holy living. But are we currently doing our very best each and every day.
Let me take a step back, though. Do you know the kind of love that He has loved His children? Can you confidently say that you have been washed by the blood of Christ and will receive the hope of the inheritance that the scriptures promise? It is my hope that if you do not know that love, that you will come to know it today. And because of that, you will pursue holiness as our Lord Himself is holy.