Week 6 of 1 John, Chapter 3

Reading the book of 1 John so far has taught me that we have so many amazing blessings as believers: forgiveness of sins, personal fellowship with the Lord and discernment to see the lies all around us.
Another blessing we have is the love of God the Father. 1 John 3:1 says, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God.” (NASB) The NIV 1984 version says this love has been lavished on us. This lovingkindness of God is being poured out upon us in great amounts, without limit! Despite my inabilities, despite my stubbornness and despite my own failure to give that kind of love to others, God gives it to us without reservation, taking away our sins through Christ’s great sacrifice.

What should my response be to this love? Verses 2 and 3 say that “we know that when He appears we will be like Him and see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” I’ve touched on this before, but I believe that God’s promises should motivate in us the desire to live for Him in a holy way.
Does this mean that I can obtain sinless perfection? Not at all! But these verses do call me to respond to this unshakeable hope by living a life that is characterized by obedience. Not out of the desire to work my way into heaven but in a response of thankfulness for God’s love and salvation.

Check out this page if you would like to join in on the 1 John Bible Study through Good Morning Girls. It’s never too late!

This post is linked at Women in the Word Wednesday and Mustard Seed Planting.

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