Embracing Our Identity: Holiness Rooted in Love

 

Summary

In our final session together, we delve into the profound truth of our identity as believers in Christ, focusing on the Apostle John's teachings. We explore the concept of being set apart by God, which is essentially what it means to be holy. Often, we turn to the Apostle Paul for insights on holiness, but today, we draw from John's perspective, which intertwines love and holiness. John, known for his emphasis on love, reveals that true holiness is deeply rooted in the holy love of God. This love is not an additional attribute of God but is intrinsic to His nature, as He is both holy and love.

Understanding our identity as "the disciple Jesus loved" transforms our perception of holiness. This identity is not just a title but a profound truth that shapes our lives. It signifies that we are a precious gift from the Father to the Son, cherished and loved. This realization leads us to a new style of holiness, one that is not harsh or critical but is expressed through love and Christ-likeness. Our new identity in Christ comes with privileges, such as security, joy, and the promise of holiness, all of which are rooted in the love of God.

Moreover, this identity calls us to live differently in the world. Though we are in the world, we are not of it. Our citizenship is in heaven, and this understanding should influence how we live our lives. We are called to detach from the world's allurements and live with a focus on our eternal destiny. The world is passing away, but our identity in Christ is eternal. As we embrace this identity, we are empowered to live holy lives, reflecting the love and holiness of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Identity in Christ: Embracing the identity of "the disciple Jesus loved" transforms our understanding of holiness. This identity is a gift from the Father to the Son, signifying that we are cherished and loved. It calls us to live lives that reflect the love and holiness of God. [11:38]

2. Holiness Rooted in Love: True holiness is not about being harsh or critical but is expressed through love and Christ-likeness. The love of God is intrinsic to His nature, and our holiness is rooted in this holy love. Understanding this helps us live lives that are both holy and loving. [12:52]

3. Living in the World, Not of It: As believers, our citizenship is in heaven, and this should influence how we live in the world. We are called to detach from the world's allurements and live with a focus on our eternal destiny. This understanding simplifies and clarifies the style of our lives. [29:01]

4. Privileges of Our New Identity: Our identity in Christ comes with privileges such as security, joy, and the promise of holiness. These are rooted in the love of God and are essential for living a life that reflects our identity as disciples loved by Jesus. [22:04]

5. Eternal Perspective: The world is passing away, but our identity in Christ is eternal. We are called to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on our destiny in Christ. This perspective empowers us to live holy lives, reflecting the love and holiness of God. [41:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:43] - Introduction to the Session
- [01:36] - Gratitude and Acknowledgments
- [03:25] - Understanding Holiness
- [05:33] - The Disciple Jesus Loved
- [08:34] - Love and Holiness
- [11:38] - New Identity in Christ
- [13:29] - The Gift from the Father
- [17:22] - Sanctification and Sacrifice
- [20:38] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [23:57] - Joy and Security in Christ
- [26:33] - Living in the World, Not of It
- [29:56] - Citizenship in Heaven
- [33:36] - Transformation and Evangelism
- [36:13] - Imperatives of the Christian Life
- [38:11] - Detachment from the World
- [41:10] - Eternal Perspective
- [43:30] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 2:15-17
2. John 17:6-19
3. John 13:1

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Observation Questions:

1. In 1 John 2:15-17, what does John say about loving the world and the things in it? How does this relate to our identity as believers? [38:11]

2. According to John 17:6-19, what does Jesus pray for concerning His disciples? How does this prayer reflect their identity and mission in the world? [09:33]

3. How does John describe himself in John 13:1, and what significance does this have for understanding our identity in Christ? [08:34]

4. What are the privileges mentioned in the sermon that come with our new identity in Christ? [22:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding oneself as "the disciple Jesus loved" change a believer's perspective on holiness and love? [11:38]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that holiness is expressed through love and Christ-likeness? How does this differ from a more traditional view of holiness? [12:52]

3. How does the concept of being "in the world, but not of it" challenge believers to live differently? What practical implications does this have for daily life? [29:01]

4. What does it mean to have an eternal perspective, and how does this influence a believer's actions and decisions in the present world? [41:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Do you see yourself as "the disciple Jesus loved"? How does this identity influence your daily actions and decisions? [11:38]

2. Consider the way you express holiness. Is it more aligned with love and Christ-likeness, or does it sometimes come across as harsh or critical? How can you adjust your approach to reflect true holiness? [12:52]

3. What are some specific ways you can detach from the allurements of the world and focus on your eternal destiny? Identify one area in your life where you feel particularly drawn to worldly things and discuss how you can address this. [29:01]

4. How can you cultivate a sense of security, joy, and holiness in your life, knowing these are privileges of your identity in Christ? What practical steps can you take to experience these more fully? [22:04]

5. Think about a recent decision you made. Did you consider your eternal perspective when making it? How might your decisions change if you consistently focused on your eternal destiny? [41:10]

6. Identify one person in your life who may not understand their identity in Christ. How can you encourage them to see themselves as "the disciple Jesus loved"? [08:34]

7. Reflect on a time when you felt out of place in the world. How did this experience reinforce your understanding of being a citizen of heaven? How can you use this understanding to navigate future challenges? [29:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Understanding our identity as "the disciple Jesus loved" is transformative. This identity is not merely a title but a profound truth that shapes our lives. It signifies that we are a precious gift from the Father to the Son, cherished and loved. This realization leads us to a new style of holiness, one that is not harsh or critical but is expressed through love and Christ-likeness. Our new identity in Christ comes with privileges, such as security, joy, and the promise of holiness, all of which are rooted in the love of God. [11:38]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does knowing you are a cherished gift from the Father to the Son change the way you view yourself and your daily interactions with others?


Day 2: Holiness Expressed Through Love
True holiness is not about being harsh or critical but is expressed through love and Christ-likeness. The love of God is intrinsic to His nature, and our holiness is rooted in this holy love. Understanding this helps us live lives that are both holy and loving. As we embrace this identity, we are empowered to live holy lives, reflecting the love and holiness of God. [12:52]

1 John 4:16-17 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world."

Reflection: In what ways can you express God's love in your daily life, especially in situations where you might be tempted to be critical or harsh?


Day 3: Living as Citizens of Heaven
As believers, our citizenship is in heaven, and this should influence how we live in the world. We are called to detach from the world's allurements and live with a focus on our eternal destiny. This understanding simplifies and clarifies the style of our lives. Though we are in the world, we are not of it. Our identity in Christ is eternal, and this perspective empowers us to live holy lives, reflecting the love and holiness of God. [29:01]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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."

Reflection: What are some worldly allurements you need to detach from to live more fully as a citizen of heaven?


Day 4: Privileges of Our New Identity
Our identity in Christ comes with privileges such as security, joy, and the promise of holiness. These are rooted in the love of God and are essential for living a life that reflects our identity as disciples loved by Jesus. This identity calls us to live differently in the world, with a focus on our eternal destiny. The world is passing away, but our identity in Christ is eternal. [22:04]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How can you embrace the privileges of your identity in Christ today, particularly in moments of insecurity or doubt?


Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective
The world is passing away, but our identity in Christ is eternal. We are called to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on our destiny in Christ. This perspective empowers us to live holy lives, reflecting the love and holiness of God. As we embrace this identity, we are empowered to live holy lives, reflecting the love and holiness of God. [41:10]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to shift your focus from temporary, worldly concerns to your eternal destiny in Christ?

Quotes

"Understanding our identity as 'the disciple Jesus loved' transforms our perception of holiness. This identity is not just a title but a profound truth that shapes our lives. It signifies that we are a precious gift from the Father to the Son, cherished and loved. This realization leads us to a new style of holiness, one that is not harsh or critical but is expressed through love and Christ-likeness." [00:11:38]

"True holiness is not about being harsh or critical but is expressed through love and Christ-likeness. The love of God is intrinsic to His nature, and our holiness is rooted in this holy love. Understanding this helps us live lives that are both holy and loving." [00:12:52]

"As believers, our citizenship is in heaven, and this should influence how we live in the world. We are called to detach from the world's allurements and live with a focus on our eternal destiny. This understanding simplifies and clarifies the style of our lives." [00:29:01]

"Our identity in Christ comes with privileges such as security, joy, and the promise of holiness. These are rooted in the love of God and are essential for living a life that reflects our identity as disciples loved by Jesus." [00:22:04]

"The world is passing away, but our identity in Christ is eternal. We are called to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on our destiny in Christ. This perspective empowers us to live holy lives, reflecting the love and holiness of God." [00:41:10]

"Holiness is chiefly expressed in love because it's chiefly expressed in Christ's likeness. And I want us to try and see how this sense that John is giving to us that we have a new identity in Christ as the disciple Jesus loved leads inevitably to a new style of holiness altogether." [00:13:29]

"Our new identity is rooted in the donation of the Father to the Son, in the sanctification of the Son for sinners, in the revelation of God's love to us in Scripture, in the union that we enjoy with the Lord through the Spirit." [00:20:38]

"Jesus whole ministry to his loved disciples was a revelation of this truth to them and so he prays for them in 17 verses 6 to 8 and he remembers what he has done I have manifested your name to the people you gave me out of the world yours they were and you gave them to me and they have kept your word." [00:23:57]

"Jesus died to make you holy and every element of resistance in our hearts to holiness has a tendency to trample underfoot the blood of the Covenant by which we were sanctified, and so you begin to see that this amazing holiness by which we become the disciples whom Jesus has loved has the dynamic and energy and motivation we need to more and more become holy." [00:26:33]

"Since we don't belong to this world, we don't love this world. Do not love the world or the things in the world and you see now the significance of the explanation that he gives because if anyone loves the world the love of the father is not in him." [00:38:11]

"The world is passing away, so those who are by the father and given to the son for eternity therefore do not live for a world that is actually passing away and this is why he emphasizes what he does all that is in the world the desires of the flesh the desires of the eyes and the pride of possessions is not from the father but is from the world." [00:41:10]

"Why are you here what's your story oh I am the disciple Jesus loved you meet the dying thief in glory and you say to him what is your story and he says I am the disciple but Jesus loved fading as the worldlings pleasure all he's boasted pomp and show solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zions children no he is holy he is loved therefore be holy in his love." [00:43:30]

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Transcript
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