We are transformed

1 John 3

We are sons of God.  What?  We are transformed into the sons of God.  Do you get that?  This is a hard concept to fully enjoy because of our flesh.  Because of God’s love we have become sons of God through salvation & we belong to Him.  This is an amazing truth. 

Here is the problem; the world should not understand us because they did not understand Christ.  There should be a difference in us than those who have not been transformed.

This is a process; we are not yet totally perfect.  This will come one day and we will be made like Jesus.  In the mean time we should be doing more righteous things like Christ instead of sinful behavior like the devil.  Verse 9 always messes with our theology of sin.  In chapter 1 we are already told that we will sin, so what does this mean?  It means a born again believer should not have a life continually given into sin.  Also understand sin, all sin is a by-product of the devil and righteousness, all righteous acts are a byproduct of God.  Even though we are children of God our actions can be sinful and not actions of God and His Spirit in us.  This is our struggle in life.  Verse 10 also includes loving our brother.  You see we should always love one another.  Even when a brother falls into sin we should still love one another.  We do not celebrate the sin nor do we permit the sin, but we do not forsake a brother because of sin.

It is okay that the world hates us, which should happen because of our love for God.  Verse 13 tells not to be amazed that the world hates us.  We are striving to get the world to accept us, we are striving to get the world to see their need and accept Jesus.

Love your brothers in such a way that you are willing to sacrifice for them.  We sacrifice our time to share in events in their life.  Many activities at church should be attended for others not for ourselves.

Love your brothers enough to give to them what they need.  Never walk past a true need when you have the power to give to it.

We are able to live as sons of God and live out His love because of the Spirit of God that abides in us, and confirms in us that we are His children.  The Spirit should lead us to sacrifice for the community of the church.  The Spirit should lead us to give to those around us.  The Spirit should help us know who we are in Christ as we grow in this transformational work of being sons of God.

Keep growing in the perfection of Christ.

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