Transforming Identity: Living as Children of God
Summary
### Summary
Today's passage is indeed a challenging one, often debated and misunderstood throughout history. The core issue isn't its complexity but our reluctance to accept and apply its teachings. The passage raises a profound question: How much sin can a saint commit before ceasing to be a saint? This isn't about the security of salvation but about our identity in Christ. John’s message is clear: our identity as children of God should profoundly impact our conduct.
John emphasizes that this passage is not meant to confuse but to confront us with the truth about our identity. It’s not about driving us away from God but drawing us closer to Him. The passage challenges us to examine whether our lives reflect our identity as children of God or children of the devil. This isn't about counting sins but understanding that our identity in Christ should lead to a transformation in our behavior.
John's writing aims to provide clarity and comfort, not confusion and condemnation. He reminds us that our identity in Christ is secure, and this should give us confidence. The Spirit of God within us is a guarantee of our inheritance. Our identity as children of God is not just a future hope but a present reality that should influence our daily lives.
John also addresses the issue of habitual sin. A true child of God cannot continue in a pattern of sin. While we may sin, it should not define our lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us means we cannot make a practice of sinning. Instead, we should practice righteousness, reflecting our new identity in Christ.
The passage concludes with a call to introspection. We must examine our lives to see if they reflect our identity as children of God. This involves confessing our sins and living in the light of God's forgiveness. Our belief in Christ should lead to a transformation in our behavior, demonstrating our identity as children of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Identity in Christ and Conduct: Our identity as children of God should profoundly impact our conduct. This isn't about counting sins but understanding that our identity in Christ should lead to a transformation in our behavior. If we are truly children of God, our lives should reflect that reality. [31:15]
2. Clarity and Comfort, Not Confusion: John's writing aims to provide clarity and comfort, not confusion and condemnation. Our identity in Christ is secure, and this should give us confidence. The Spirit of God within us is a guarantee of our inheritance, and this should influence our daily lives. [29:29]
3. Habitual Sin vs. Occasional Sin: A true child of God cannot continue in a pattern of sin. While we may sin, it should not define our lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us means we cannot make a practice of sinning. Instead, we should practice righteousness, reflecting our new identity in Christ. [46:57]
4. Introspection and Confession: We must examine our lives to see if they reflect our identity as children of God. This involves confessing our sins and living in the light of God's forgiveness. Our belief in Christ should lead to a transformation in our behavior, demonstrating our identity as children of God. [49:48]
5. Belief, Brotherhood, and Behavior: John emphasizes the importance of belief in Christ, love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and righteous behavior. These three elements are interconnected and should be evident in the life of a true believer. Our belief in Christ should lead to love and righteous behavior. [01:08:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:55] - Misunderstanding the Passage
[26:46] - How Much Sin Can a Saint Commit?
[27:35] - Identity vs. Security
[28:34] - Confession and Salvation
[29:29] - Clarity and Comfort
[30:25] - Confronting Deep Questions
[31:15] - Identity in Christ and Conduct
[32:04] - The Spirit's Guarantee
[33:37] - Lavished Love of the Father
[34:26] - Living Out Our Identity
[35:12] - Personal Responsibility
[36:14] - Assurance of Salvation
[37:39] - Now We Are Children of God
[39:11] - Confidence in Our Identity
[40:47] - Hope and Behavior
[42:18] - Practicing Righteousness
[43:57] - The Role of the Law
[45:31] - The Practice of Sinning
[46:57] - Returning to the Light
[48:24] - Paul's Struggle with Sin
[49:48] - Confession and Forgiveness
[51:34] - Introspection, Not Inspection
[52:58] - The Power of Confession
[54:29] - Practicing Righteousness
[56:03] - The Sermon on the Mount
[57:28] - Financial Practices
[59:02] - Envisioning Purity
[01:00:40] - Evidence of Salvation
[01:02:11] - The Importance of Confession
[01:03:38] - God's Greater Knowledge
[01:05:10] - Letting Go of Condemnation
[01:06:30] - Confidence Before God
[01:08:03] - Belief, Brotherhood, and Behavior
[01:09:35] - The Fullness of Christ
[01:10:56] - Historical Evidence of Christ
[01:12:28] - Embracing Christ's Sacrifice
[01:14:02] - Loving One Another
[01:15:42] - Changing Our Behavior
[01:17:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 John 3:1-10 (ESV)
### Observation Questions
1. What does John mean when he says, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God"? ([32:47])
2. According to the sermon, how does John differentiate between habitual sin and occasional sin? ([45:31])
3. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance, as mentioned in the sermon? ([32:04])
4. How does John describe the relationship between our identity in Christ and our conduct? ([31:15])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "children of God" influence a believer's daily life and decisions? ([31:15])
2. What does it mean to practice righteousness, and how is it different from merely avoiding sin? ([54:29])
3. How can believers find comfort in their identity in Christ, especially when they struggle with sin? ([29:29])
4. Why is introspection important for a believer, and how does it help in aligning one's life with their identity in Christ? ([51:34])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily conduct. In what ways does it reflect your identity as a child of God? Are there areas where you see a need for transformation? ([31:15])
2. How do you handle moments of habitual sin in your life? What steps can you take to break free from these patterns? ([45:31])
3. Think about a recent situation where you felt condemned or confused about your faith. How can you find clarity and comfort in your identity in Christ? ([29:29])
4. How often do you practice introspection and confession? What practical steps can you take to make this a regular part of your spiritual life? ([51:34])
5. Identify one area in your life where you can practice righteousness more consistently. What specific actions will you take this week to reflect your new identity in Christ? ([54:29])
6. How can you demonstrate love for your brothers and sisters in Christ in a tangible way this week? ([01:14:02])
7. What is one specific way you can let go of self-condemnation and embrace God's forgiveness in your life? ([01:05:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Identity in Christ and Conduct
Our identity as children of God should profoundly impact our conduct. This isn't about counting sins but understanding that our identity in Christ should lead to a transformation in our behavior. If we are truly children of God, our lives should reflect that reality. [31:15]
John's message emphasizes that our identity in Christ is not just a label but a transformative reality. As children of God, our behavior should align with our new identity. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about a continual process of becoming more like Christ. Our actions, decisions, and lifestyle should reflect the values and character of Jesus. This means that our faith is not just a private belief but a public demonstration of God's work in our lives.
The challenge is to live out this identity daily, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and shape us. This involves making choices that honor God, even when it's difficult. It's about letting go of old habits and embracing new ones that reflect our new nature in Christ. Our identity in Christ should be evident in how we treat others, how we handle challenges, and how we live our lives.
1 John 3:1-2 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you let your identity in Christ influence your actions and decisions today?
Day 2: Clarity and Comfort, Not Confusion
John's writing aims to provide clarity and comfort, not confusion and condemnation. Our identity in Christ is secure, and this should give us confidence. The Spirit of God within us is a guarantee of our inheritance, and this should influence our daily lives. [29:29]
John's message is meant to reassure believers of their secure identity in Christ. This security is not based on our performance but on God's unchanging promise. The presence of the Holy Spirit within us is a constant reminder of our guaranteed inheritance as children of God. This assurance should bring us comfort and confidence, knowing that our salvation is secure and that God is always with us.
This clarity and comfort should influence how we live our daily lives. Instead of living in fear or doubt, we can live with boldness and assurance. This means trusting in God's promises, relying on His strength, and allowing His Spirit to guide us. Our secure identity in Christ should free us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and instead, empower us to live out our faith with joy and confidence.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: How can you live with more confidence and assurance in your identity in Christ today?
Day 3: Habitual Sin vs. Occasional Sin
A true child of God cannot continue in a pattern of sin. While we may sin, it should not define our lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us means we cannot make a practice of sinning. Instead, we should practice righteousness, reflecting our new identity in Christ. [46:57]
John makes a clear distinction between habitual sin and occasional sin. As believers, we are not immune to sin, but it should not be the defining pattern of our lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit within us convicts us of sin and empowers us to live righteously. This means that while we may stumble, we do not remain in a state of habitual sin. Our new identity in Christ calls us to a higher standard of living, one that reflects His righteousness.
Practicing righteousness involves a conscious effort to align our actions with God's will. It means turning away from sinful behaviors and habits and embracing a lifestyle that honors God. This is not about achieving perfection but about a continual process of growth and transformation. The Holy Spirit helps us in this journey, providing the strength and guidance we need to live out our new identity in Christ.
1 John 3:9 (ESV): "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God."
Reflection: Are there any patterns of sin in your life that you need to address? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you practice righteousness?
Day 4: Introspection and Confession
We must examine our lives to see if they reflect our identity as children of God. This involves confessing our sins and living in the light of God's forgiveness. Our belief in Christ should lead to a transformation in our behavior, demonstrating our identity as children of God. [49:48]
John calls believers to a life of introspection and confession. This means regularly examining our lives to ensure they align with our identity as children of God. Confession is a crucial part of this process, as it allows us to acknowledge our sins and receive God's forgiveness. Living in the light of God's forgiveness means embracing His grace and allowing it to transform our behavior.
This transformation is not just about avoiding sin but about actively pursuing righteousness. Our belief in Christ should be evident in our actions, attitudes, and relationships. By regularly confessing our sins and seeking God's guidance, we can live in a way that reflects our new identity in Christ. This process of introspection and confession helps us stay on the path of righteousness and grow in our faith.
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Take a moment to examine your life. Are there any sins you need to confess and seek God's forgiveness for today?
Day 5: Belief, Brotherhood, and Behavior
John emphasizes the importance of belief in Christ, love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and righteous behavior. These three elements are interconnected and should be evident in the life of a true believer. Our belief in Christ should lead to love and righteous behavior. [01:08:03]
John highlights the interconnectedness of belief, brotherhood, and behavior in the life of a believer. True faith in Christ should naturally lead to love for our fellow believers and a commitment to righteous living. These three elements are not separate but are deeply intertwined, each reinforcing the other. Our belief in Christ is the foundation, which then manifests in our love for others and our pursuit of righteousness.
Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ means actively seeking their well-being, supporting them, and building a strong community of faith. This love is a reflection of God's love for us and is a powerful testimony to the world. Righteous behavior, on the other hand, is about living in a way that honors God and reflects His character. Together, these elements create a holistic and authentic Christian life that glorifies God and impacts those around us.
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your belief in Christ through love and righteous behavior today? Is there someone in your church community you can reach out to and support?
Quotes
1. "Our identity in Christ should impact our conduct in life. Not can. I usually use can because a lot of the imperatives in scripture, they're not as much musts as this is, okay? This is a must, all right? This is you, this must happen. Or you should wonder, are you still a child of the devil? Okay? That is so true." [31:15] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you're in Christ and Christ is then in you, you are a child of God. You don't have to worry about whether or not the child of the devil part is not applying to you, okay? It won't, okay? Now it will become a litmus test for whether or not you're really a child of God, but if you're in, you're in. And you know that sitting here right now, you do." [36:14] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You have been cleansed of all your sins. Now we start participating. Purity and purification are the byproduct of a new identity. It doesn't, see where John puts this? Where that which is expected comes long after he talks about that which you need to experience. Because if he flipped them, all of a sudden the law group would be right." [42:18] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Whoever makes a practice of sinning, he's of the devil. This is not complicated, is it? If you're doing the complete opposite of that other verse, you're not saved. Like you don't get to this. I'm not deciding. Not me, Tim. And we're not telling you that to hurt you, but to help you. We want you to come to the recognition that you are not a child of God." [57:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're a person who, listen, the practice of your life is sinning, that's a serious problem because what you're doing is you're willfully deciding that the pattern of my life, the direction of my life, and the purpose of my life is up to me. And I'm going to decide, I'm going to exert my will, and I'm just going to do what I want to do and go where I want to go and think what I want to think and behave the way I want to think." [45:31] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You have got to make a decision for yourself. I can't be the fruit inspector. Your spouse can't be the fruit inspector. Because you know, sometimes the tree looks really, really good, but there's absolutely no fruit on it. No figs. Luke chapter 13, this little parable about, you know, the moment that Jesus had walked up, to a fig tree that had no figs, but it had all kinds of leaves and Jesus cursed it." [01:00:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God. So how do you get to this point? Confession. That's how you get rid of the self-condemnation. We have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask because we keep his commands and do what pleases him, okay? And this is his command. Believe in the name of his son, Jesus Christ, love one another, and keep God's commands." [01:06:30] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, that he is the Son of God? Do you believe, again, John 1 and 2, the full incarnational truths, that he was born of the Virgin Mary and he became man, that in him, all the fullness of deity, which means God, all the fullness of God. In fact, in Hebrews, it says, and it pleased God for all of his fullness to dwell in his Son. That's Hebrews chapter 1." [01:09:35] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And then he got up and put on his clothes and served them dinner. Didn't he? Here. He blessed the bread, broke the bread, and said, here, take this. All of you, eat it. This is my body, which is being given up for you. And after supper, again, he took the cup. Again, he gave thanks and said, take this, all of you, and drink it. Drink from it. Cup of my blood, the blood of a new and everlasting covenant being shed for you and for all men, so sins might be forgiven." [01:14:02] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Belief requires movement. It requires response, not mental assent, a response back to God. Are you ready to respond? Today, all I'd ask you to do is just raise a hand in this room anywhere, everywhere. Glasgow, Morgantown, respond. Respond. name that we pray to And all of God's people together said, amen. God bless you." [01:15:42] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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