June 28, 2009, 1 John 3:1-3

June 28 ...  "The Privileges of God's Kids" 1 John 3:1-3

ICEBREAKER: What was your nickname as a child?

(Being called a child of God is more than a position we hold.  John points to the glorious privilege it is to be in fellowship with the Most High God and be His child.)

1 John 3

 ¹See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. ²Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. ³And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

(Being a child of God is a transforming experience.  It means eventually being in the likeness of Christ, but in the present time it involves striving for a purity in line with our being.)

V1 -'Sinners saved by grace' is a familiar saying in Christendom. How can we prevent it from becoming trite? Understanding the love of God more clearly helps. What was, and is our position and relation to God? What about God's planning, our deserving grace, our prize, and our new title? 

Read Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 1:1, 2:11. According to these verses what is the other side of the coin as far as being a Christian is concerned? How does this give meaning to the term "the world does not know us?"(Think in terms of culture, our residence, lifestyle, etc.)

V2 - There seems to be a discrepancy between "now we are children" and "we will be like Him". How do we reconcile this? (See Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 13:9-12)

Read Philippians 3:12-14. What misunderstanding do unbelievers have about "perfect" Christians?  What misunderstanding do Christians have about perfection?

V3 - If something is pure, is it free from contamination. What is contaminating, or threatening to contaminate you in your faith lately?