Once again, and probably continuing the thought from the previous verses (see earlier articles), the readers of the book of 1 John (referred to as “dear children” [NIV] or “little children” [NASB]) should stay with God: God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, God the Father – all one God with one truth.
Let’s take a look at what the apostle John wrote.
And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
1 John 2:28-29 NIV
For those who let God and the truth remain in our lives, when Jesus returns, I think that life in eternity will be an improved continuation of how His followers have already been living.
As studied in previous lessons, obeying God the Father, following Jesus, and listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance all lead to righteousness. Even once we have accepted a salvation that fully paid for our sins, there is a correlation between those who are righteous like Jesus was, and those who have “been born of him” [verse 29, NIV] (“him” here may be Jesus or – per Womack, p.76 – God the Father).
And, that makes sense: What is a disciple of Jesus, anyway, except someone who learns from Him and tries to be like Him, as He was like His Father? How much more like Jesus can we become when we let all three persons of God help us do so?
Ideally, when Jesus comes to call us home, we’re already in a good relationship with God and the truth, and we won’t have to try and hide how we have been living from Him. (Not that we could, anyway, even if we tried.)
Whether or not this is a good place for a chapter break, the first verse of then next chapter is good news. God loves us so much (see also John 3:16) that we aren’t just slaves in His household after we were bought back from what our sins deserved. Instead, we are adopted into His family, and become His children!
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1 NIV
It might seem like a bummer that those who don’t accept the truth about Jesus end up being opposed to us, just as they were – and are – opposed to Him (see John 15:18-25). We should not be surprised when lies surround us, propagated by those who don’t accept Jesus. However, that opposition seems like a small price to pay in this temporary, fading earth, in return for being children of God Himself, and being able to share the good news with others about how they can also be adopted into God’s family.
So, if you have accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation and reconciliation with God, let us live as children of God. Mark Scott wrote in the study guide, “John addressed his recipients as dear children and children of God. He gave them something to do, something to know, and something to celebrate.” [italics in original]
A pastor at my church told a story one time of his son (when he was younger) in the checkout line at a store. His son was dressed up in a costume, and the checkout clerk asked, “Are you a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?” The pastor’s son answered, “No, I’m a child of God!”
I don’t know what you’re dressed up as today. It might be your role in a family, your service in a church, your membership in a group, or a role at a job or school. Your “costume” might include where you live, what you do in a typical day, or where you shop. In all of that, though, don’t forget that all of these are just temporary: Ultimately – as you encourage others, let the truth of Jesus live in you, and share the good news about Him with others – you are a child of God.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for February 23, 2025
References:
- 1717 Bible Studies, 1, 2, and 3 John, © 2025 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1, 2 & 3 John, by Morris M. Womack. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 