1 John 3
1 John Chapter 3 unfolds with a focus on how, as children of God, our identity and status should be manifested in daily life. This chapter can be divided into three main parts. First, verses 1-3 emphasize that we have been clothed in the status of “children of God” within the love of God. Next, verses 4-10 explain the differences between sin and righteousness, and between the children of God and the children of the devil, stating that believers should not continue to live in sin. Finally verses 11-24 place the theme of loving one another at the center, and also mention how this love should be carried out in a concrete way.
1verseSee how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.
2verseBeloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him just as he is.
3verseEveryone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
4verseEveryone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness.
5verseYou know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and no sin is in him.
6verseWhoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him and doesn’t know him.
7verseLittle children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8verseHe who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9verseWhoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him, and he can’t sin, because he is born of God.
10verseIn this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother.
11verseFor this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another—
12verseunlike Cain, who was of the evil one and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13verseDon’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
14verseWe know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death.
15verseWhoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
16verseBy this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
17verseBut whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
18verseMy little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
19verseAnd by this we know that we are of the truth and persuade our hearts before him,
20versebecause if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
21verseBeloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God;
22verseso whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
23verseThis is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded.
24verseHe who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.
Key Message and Symbols
The core theme of this chapter is “the love of God” and “the practice of love”. Becoming children of God is entirely due to God’s grace and love (verse 1), and this shows that this identity is not a mere title, but should be revealed through an attitude and actions in life. Committing sin means moving away from God’s will, and a life of continually practicing sin cannot reflect the character of a child of God (verses 6-9). In this context, “love one another” Jesus’ commandment (verse 11) is emphasized as the essence of a believer’s life. Love should not be expressed only in words; it must be shown through actions and sincerity (verse 18). Through this, we can know that we will live in a proper relationship with God.
Points for Reflection
- How am I accepting and living out the identity of “children of God”?
- In my life, what standard do I use as the basis for judging between sin and holiness?
- Is the love I practice confined to words, or is it shown through actions?
Apply It to Yourself
- Take a look at whether gratitude for the love of God is being revealed in my everyday life.
- Even amid endless competition and comparison, remember the status of being “a child,” and develop an attitude of showing mercy to yourself and others.
- Try to love your neighbor in a concrete way, even through small acts.
