1 John 3:1-3 Sons of God

The phrase “sons (or children) of God” in 1 John 3:1-3 refers to human beings. In Genesis 6 the sons of God married and giants were born. Jesus said that angels cannot marry or give children in marriage, so the phrase “sons of God” in Genesis also means human beings. We are called children of God by adoption. We will be like him and live forever. This process is called theosis, or divinization, or sanctification. We are being transformed day by day to be like Jesus. We purify ourselves, freeing ourselves from everything unholy, staying close to Jesus. We “know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him”.

Do we Confess our Sins?

1 John 1:9-10 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” One US President was famous for saying that he had no sins to confess. But humble confession that we have not attained sinless perfection, is a hallmark of true Christianity. Self-righteous judgmentalism hides behind a mask of legalistic perfection. It makes us liars and fake Christians. We must learn to openly and humbly admit what Jesus taught, that even our thoughts are often sinful.

Assurance of Salvation

The theme of I John is assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13). What is true Christianity? True Christianity is that human beings can have fellowship with God. The apostles examined the risen Word of life with their own hands. Christians walk in the light which exposes their sins. They are not defensive, but confess sin. Confess? The prefix con means with and fess means to admit. We could say that we fess up agreeing with God’s opinion of our sins. We admit with God that we did wrong. We do not hide our sins in darkness, but bring them into the light of truth. 1 John 1:8 says that if we say that we HAVE no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. How can we be cleansed? The blood of Jesus cleanses us.

Diversity and Fellowship

God’s forgiveness should change the way we look at people. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. 1 John 1 teaches that if we walk in the light we fellowship with one another, not avoid one another. Why do we criticize others for sins or mere differences of opinion? Political correctness demands that everyone has the same opinion, instead of free speech and respect for differences. Do we criticize or show respect? Do we seriously think someone of a different opinion is not worth having as a friend? Would we seriously disown a son or daughter over a difference of opinion? Do we value good relationships with all people? Are we keenly aware of our own moral failings? Are we really in a position to judge another sinner? How important is a peaceful, loving church to us?

Forgiveness

In 1 John 1:9 we are told that If we confess our sins, he will forgive us and cleanse us. He loves us and offers us forgiveness. Who is this God who offers sinful humanity forgiveness? John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Some rejected his baptism. They rejected God’s purpose for them (Luke 7:30). Jesus teaches us to forgive as God has forgiven us. Forgiveness is God’s gift even to our enemies. What is forgiveness? In Greek it means to let go and to pardon. Why do we find it hard to forgive? Forgiveness is about restoring lost relationships. It is an unearned and undeserved gift. Who do we find it difficult to forgive? God still provides us and our enemies food, clothing and rain. He gladly covers our sins and forgets them.