Read the Book: October - DecemberSample

WHEN WE ABIDE

There are several themes of contrast that run through 1 John. 

Light vs. Dark. [1 John 1:5-7]

Truth vs. Lies [1 John 2:4-6]

Believers vs. Unbelievers [1 John 2:15-17]

In chapter 3 we see two ways that we, as Christians, should live lives that are in contrast to the surrounding world.

First,  John describes the Christian’s relationship with sin. We know that John isn't telling us that we will never sin (1 John 1:8-10). He is telling us that we should not “keep on sinning” (v.6) or “make a practice of sinning” (v. 8). If we are abiding in Jesus, the Holy Spirit will point out the sin in our lives to bring about repentance. Jesus loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to let us stay there. A Christian’s life will look different than an unbeliever’s because they will live a life marked by repentance. 

The second way our lives should look different from the world is the way we love one another. Part of our obedience includes following God’s command to love one another as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). As we abide in Jesus, we begin to see people as God sees them, and this includes people both inside the church and out in the world around us. We’ve experienced true love through God’s sacrificial love towards us, uniquely qualifying us to show that love to others. 

We see that as we abide in Christ, He changes the way we act. He helps us to reject sin and love one another. We should look different enough from the world that they take notice. They might not agree with everything we believe right away, but they’ll stop and notice that something among us is different. Like Jesus teaches, they will know we are His by the way we love. 

FAMILY CONNECTION:

Have everyone draw a picture of the entire family. What makes them part of the family? What are some of the privileges you get for being part of the family? The Bible tells us that God loves us so much that He has adopted us into His family. Because of that we are loved as His sons and daughters. Pray as a family, thanking God for the amazing love He shows us.