Daily Devotionals with Pastor Rod: Children of God

Monday, November 21, 2011

I John 3:10

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By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

THE STUDY:

John starts off this verse in reference to the previous verses, “By this it is evident.” John, again, makes a tender reference to his flock, “who are the children of God.” John makes it very clear throughout his writings that a believers actions, motives, and words will be that of righteousness (Christ). John insists that righteousness is relational. It is relational first toward God—“children of God.” This brings a positive relationship toward others. One rightly related to God will love his “brothers.”^{^[1]}

In this entire letter John presents our existence in terms of two categories: you are either a child of God or you are a child of the devil. John sees only absolutes: light or darkness, truth or the lie, God or the devil, life or death. For him there is no middle ground. There are no alternatives.^{^[2]}

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away this morning with the understanding that we live in a world that is split: light or darkness, truth or lies, Good or evil, God or NOT! We will make a choice in which world to live in. If we choose Christ then we have hope, power, and a rich future (Listen to the Sermon from 11/20/11). Some may think they don’t have to choose! In that case you have made your choice, NOT GOD!

CONCLUSION:

The mayor of Toronto launched a “Light the Night” campaign. The idea was for residents to leave their lights burning overnight in order to discourage crime. A similar campaign was carried out in the Oakland, California, area, and reports show that crime was greatly reduced—in fact, reduced fantastically.

John encourages his readers to live in the light so that darkness is discouraged and dispersed. My encouragement for us today is the same, let the light shine in our hearts so we may cast that light into this dark world.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (119). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^{^[2]} Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (304). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

I John 3:1

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See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

THE STUDY:

John does not say “the Father loves us.” If so, he would be describing a condition. Instead, he writes, “the Father has lavished [his love] on us” and thus portrays an action and the extent of God’s love. John has chosen the word Father purposely. That word implies the Father-child relationship. However, God did not become Father when he adopted us as children. God’s fatherhood is eternal. He is eternally the Father of Jesus Christ and through Jesus he is our Father. Through Jesus we receive the Father’s love and are called “children of God.”^{^[1]}

The love of the God is not based on a condition; if we love him, only then, will He love us. God loved us from the very beginning as we were thought of and created by Him. It was all about love!

A good way to comprehend this thought of God’s love for us: Being a parent to our children. I do not display love for my children only when they are good or do nice things for me. My love for them started at the very moment I knew of their existence. I have loved them in spite of their faults, mishaps and disobedience. I don’t condone their sin but I love them regardless of it.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

This morning I hope we walk away with the understanding that God’s love is not a conditional love but a love that is extended out to each and every one of us. It is up to us to receive it and live in it!

Just as we love our children in spite of all their faults, shortcomings, and sins, God loves us. He doesn’t condone our sins but he loves us in spite of them. As sinners, we must repent and accept the grace God extends to us because of His love for “His Children.”

CONCLUSION:

Charles Spurgeon preached a great sermon from a very short text. The text consisted of only four words: “If children, then heirs.” (Rom. 8:17). The truth and force of those words came through as Spurgeon stripped them of what they did not say.

The words did not say, if creatures, then heirs. Many people think that we are automatically in the family of God, but the Bible does not say that we are heirs just because we are His creation. Neither does the text say, if children of Abraham, then heirs. That is what many Israelites believed. They thought they were automatically children of God because they were children of Abraham. However, to some of them, Jesus said, “Ye are of your father, the devil.” (John 8:44).

The text also ruled out baptism, church membership, confirmation, and other works and rites. We must be spiritually born into God’s family. If children, even “the poor of this world (are) … heirs of the kingdom.” (Jas. 2:5).

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (292–294). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.