### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the profound love of God as described in 1 John 3:1. We began with a story about Joshua Bell, a world-renowned violinist who played incognito in a New York subway. Despite his talent, most people walked by without recognizing the beauty before them. This serves as a metaphor for how we often overlook the incredible love God has for us. John invites us to "see" this love, not just intellectually but experientially.
We delved into four facets of God's love: Father love, Trinity love, Saving love, and Love unknown to the world. Father love is the deep, unconditional love a parent has for their child, a bond that God uses to describe His love for us. Trinity love is the same love that God the Father has for Jesus, which is extended to us when we become His children. Saving love is the love that rescues us from the family of the devil and adopts us into God's family. Finally, Love unknown to the world is a unique, divine love that the world cannot comprehend because it does not know God.
John emphasizes that being a child of God means practicing righteousness. This isn't about sinless perfection but about a life characterized by habits that reflect our new family in God. We are encouraged to examine our lives—our bank statements, our hospitality, and the hidden parts of our lives—to see if they align with the family of God. True children of God will fight against sin and grow in their resemblance to Jesus.
In conclusion, we are called to treasure and rejoice in the love of God, to see and savor it, and to let it transform our lives. This love is available to us through Jesus Christ, and it calls us to live in a way that reflects our new identity as children of God.
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Key Takeaways
- 1. present, inviting us to rest in the security of being His children. [40:12]
2. Trinity Love: The love that God the Father has for Jesus is the same love He extends to us. This is a mind-blowing concept that shows the depth and inclusivity of God's love. When we become children of God, we enter into this divine love, experiencing the same affection and care that the Father has for His Son.
3. Saving Love: We were born into the family of the devil, but God's saving love rescues us and adopts us into His family. This love is not based on our merit but on God's grace and mercy. It transforms us from children of wrath to children of God, giving us a new identity and a new family.
4. Love Unknown to the World: The world cannot understand the kind of love God has for us because it does not know Him. This love is unique and divine, setting us apart from the world. It calls us to live differently, to love differently, and to reflect the love of God in our lives.
5. Practicing Righteousness: Being a child of God means our lives should be characterized by habits of righteousness. This isn't about being perfect but about growing in our resemblance to Jesus. We are encouraged to examine our lives and habits to ensure they align with our new identity in God's family.
### [40:12]
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