1 John 3:1
We are regarded by God, because we are indeed, His children. We have been born again, born into His family. So, as a Christian, this truth is true about you at this moment. You are His child. You have been born anew by the Holy Spirit's work. You are a child of God.
1 John3:2
When He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is
Jesus will be revealed, that is, He is coming again to the earth, both in the rapture of the church, and to rule and reign on the earth for 1000 years. We are going to see Him face to face, and at that time we will be changed, and have a new and glorified body like His.
1John 3:3
God's children not only have the hope of seeing Him in the future, but in the present, there is a cleansing that takes place in their lives. This cleansing comes from God as we confess our sins, and put off the flesh, and seek to walk in His ways, and obey His commandments.
1John 3:6-7
God's children, ( those who abide in Him ) do not sin. That is, they do not practice sin. Of course they do sin, but not as a lifestyle. Conversely, the person who practices sin as a lifestyle has neither seen Him, nor knows Him. To sum it up....The person who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
1John 3:8-10
The person who sins ( as a lifestyle ) is of the devil. Whoever has been born of God, ( that is, become a christian, saved etc, ) does not sin ( does not practice sin as a lifestyle ) These two lifestyles show us the child of God, and the children of the devil. To sum it up......He who does not practice righteousness, is not of God, neither is he who does not love his brother.
1John 3:11,14
God's message from the start was and is, "that we should love one another" One of the ways we know that we are saved, that is, we have passed out of the realm of death, into the realm of life, is that we love the brethren. The person who does not love his brother, is abiding in death. They are not in life and light.
1John 3:22
Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Here John links prayer, and receiving answers to our prayers, with our keeping His commandments, and our doing those things that are pleasing in His sight. So, our lifestyle and answered prayer are linked together.
A comment and thought about 1st John 3:22 about Prayer.
First of all, it reminds me that there is something called prayer.
Prayer is talking to God.
Prayer is something that Jesus did while on earth.
Prayer was taught by Jesus.
Prayer was practiced by the early church.
Prayer is encouraged all through the Bible.
Prayer is something we all wish we did more of.
Prayer can take place in many ways.
Prayer does not have to be a certain length.
Prayer can be for others, or for myself.
Prayer is effective.
Prayer is heard by God.
Prayer is part of the practice of the church.
Prayer is more then is mentioned above.
Prayer has many promises attached to it in the Bible.
Prayer is recorded for us in the Bible.
Prayer is prayed in blessed and in troubled times.
Prayer is also singing to the Lord.
Prayer is praying for others.
Prayer is praying about situations.
Prayer is praying for myself and my needs and situations.
Prayer is something the apostles would be doing, and then fall asleep.
My prayer today, this morning is, Lord please help me to pray. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
