I Belong to a Big Family

614.  "I Belong to a Big Family"                                
September 25, 2012
1 John 3-Part 3  (verses 7-10)
Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 1 John 3:7 NLT

Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 1 John 3:9 NLT

So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.  1 John 3:10 NLT

LET IT GLOW

This past weekend, my dad's family had a reunion. What a huge family my grandparents have. They had six children which lived,18 grandchildren, and at least 34 great-great grandchildren (there are some adopted, so I don't know how many). After that, I loose count. I am happy to belong to such a big family. I belong to another big family, the family of God. Let's see what John has to say to his family.
 
What is John saying to his readers, and us?

• Do not let anyone deceive you. According to Thayer's Lexicon, deceive means to lead away from the truth, to lead into error. To prevent deception from occurring, John repeatedly emphasized the basics of Christianity, the need for obedience, the need for love, and the need fro a proper view of Christ. (MacArthur)
• Do what is right and show that you are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. In other words, practice righteousness, which means to live up rightly;
• Those born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. We are to behave like Jesus, manifesting the power of His life in us (Gal. 2:20) When we are born again, God makes us new creatures with new natures.
• We can tell who are children of God and belong to Him if they live righteously and love other believers. 

Are these characteristics describing me? Do I exhibit this new nature as the habitual character of righteousness produced by the Holy Spirit?
Love is not merely an optional duty for someone claiming to be a Christian, but proof positive that a person truly has been born again (John 15:12). (MacArthur)

LET IT GROW

Verse 8 in NLT says, But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

Again, John is describing the false teachers:

• They sin, which means "who habitually practice sin."
• They belong to the devil, which is a term meaning "accuser" or "slanderer." Not only does Satan oppose God and His plan, but he is the originator and instigator of sin and rebellion against God and His law. He has been sinning from the beginning. All the unsaved are under the diabolic influence of Satan.
• The Son of God, Jesus Christ, came to destroy the works of the devil.A day will come when Satan's activity will cease in the universe and he will be sent to hell forever (Rev. 20:10).
• A variety of the devil's activities include: sin, rebellion, temptation, ruling the world, persecution and accusation of saints, instigation of false teachers, and exercising the power of death.
• They do not live righteously.
• They display a distinct lack of love for true believers.

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]
Only two kinds of children exist in the world: children of God and children of Satan. No one can belong to both families simultaneously. We belong to one family and exibit that character.

Do I show proof of my new birth, righteousness and loving believers?

LET IT GO

Don't be deceived by false teachers; stay in God's word, the Truth.

Practice righteousness, not sin.

Love other believers.

Be aware of the influence of the devil and don't yield to it.

Exhibit behavior as a member of the family of God.