LIVING AND WALKING IN THE LOVE OF GOD
1John 3:1-24
1.
THE WONDER
OF GOD’S LOVE TO US
2. THE WONDER OF THE
UNIVERSAL IGNORANCE OF GOD’S LOVE
3. THE WISDOM OF WALKING IN
THE LOVE OF GOD
I.
WALKING IN SANCTIFICATION (1John 2:28-3:10)
II.
WALKING IN THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD (1John 3:11-24).
III.
WALKING IN BROTHERLY LOVE (1John 4:7-12)
1.
THE WONDER
OF GOD’S LOVE TO US
1John
3:1; John 3:16; 1John 4:10-12; John 10:14-18
The
love of God towards us is so great that it has a special name – AGAPE. Agape
love is a sacrificial love. It loves and does not wait to be loved before
loving (Rom.5:8). It gives and does not expect to receive again (John 3:16). It
is ready at all times for the ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus
was the Ultimate Shepherd, ready to lay down His life for the sheep of God
(John 10:14-18). The love of God ‘elevated us
from the position of guilty and death deserving sinners to that of divine
sonship’[1]
To understand the
nature of God’s love for believers take a look at their names:
i.
Sons of God (John 1:12; Rom.8:14)
ii.
Members of Christ (Eph.5:30)
iii.
New Creation (2Cor.5:17; Eph.2:10)
iv.
Beloved of God (John 15:9)
v.
Temple of God (1Cor.3:9, 16; 6:19-20) – demons are
not allowed access to you. No demon is given power to hurt you (Luke 10:19)
vi.
Kings and Priests of the Father (Rev.1:5-6; Eccl.8:4;
Mark 11:23)
vii.
Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Jesus Christ
(Rom.8:17, 32)
viii.
Ambassadors of Christ (2Cor.5:20)
ix.
God’s Peculiar Treasures Exod.19:5; 1Pet.2:9
x.
Eagles (Isaiah 40:31)
xi.
Sheep of the Great Shepherd (John 10:11-15; Psalm
23:1-6)
Any confession or attitude contrary to these is an unconscious
declaration that God’s word is false or that our Heavenly Father is a failure!
You dare not think or behave that way (W.F.Kumuyi)!
2. THE WONDER OF THE
UNIVERSAL IGNORANCE OF GOD’S LOVE
1John 3:1-3; Psalm 2:1-12; John 15:18-25
The world does not know the Father nor the Son nor the Holy Spirit.
Therefore anyone who claims to be the son or daughter of God is rejected out of
hand by the world (Psalm 2:1-12). Ask yourself why it is only Christians and
Jews that are persecuted or marked for persecution the world over. Why not
Hindus? Why not Buddhists? Why not Sikhs? Why not Satanists, etc.?
It is because of what we saw in section one of this message. We are
special because God’s loves makes us special! We are not of the world. That is why we are hated by the world (John
15:18-25). Do not count it strange when
you hear of the wickedness which world is perpetrating against Christians. This
is according to Scripture. In such cases we will pray for those Christians that
God will sustain them in the hour of temptation and affliction.
Importantly, if the world or your worldly friends love and appreciate
you, it is a veritable sign that you are not of Christ. You are in danger. Come
to Jesus today and be thoroughly saved so that when the wrath of God is poured
out on all unbelievers you will not be swept away with them. Come out from
among them (2Cor.6:17).
3. THE WISDOM OF WALKING IN
THE LOVE OF GOD
I.
WALKING IN SANCTIFICATION (1John 2:28-3:10)
There is a difference between the children of God and the children of
the devil. God’s children do not persist in sin. Sin is no longer a habitual
thing for them. They cannot persist in sin because they are born of God. Because
we have the hope of Christ coming again, we children of God purify ourselves
through the blood of Jesus.
Why must we purify ourselves? (i) Because of the nature of (1John 3:4);
(ii) Because of the work of Christ (1John 3:5; Rom.6:1-7); (iii) Because of
Christ’s sinlessness (1 John 3:5-6); (iv) Because of the significance of sin (1
John 3:7). If we practice sin we show that we are unrighteous (not saved). If
we practice righteousness we signify that we are righteous (saved!). The false
teachers (Gnostics) of John’s day taught that an ‘enlightened’ person can be pure
(within) even though he practiced unrighteousness (without). But that is false!
He that committed sin is of the devil. (v) Because of the source of sin (1 John
3:8a); (vi) Because of the Purpose of Christ (1 John 8b); —Christ
came to expiate the sins of sinners, and to destroy the works of the devil (to
destroy the sins that the devil himself commits and the sins that he inspires)[2] . Finally
(vii) Because of the new nature of the believer (1 John 3:9). The believer’s
new nature is the nature of God. It is a holy nature. Though the believer will
be subjected to trials and temptation, he or she must stand firm against Satan,
self and sin the three great adversaries of the believer. He will overcome by
the blood of the Lamb and by the word of his/her testimony.
II.
WALKING IN THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD (1John 3:11-24).
Believers walk in the commandments of God. This commandment is love (1
John 3:11-24; Mat.22:36-40). Love in today’s language is the mother of all
commandments. Some religious groups may claim that They practice love but that
is a false claim. You cannot really know what love is until you have come to
Christ. We can only love because He first loved us.
III.
WALKING IN BROTHERLY LOVE (1John 4:7-12)
How do we walk in brotherly love? (i) in giving of our lives for others
(1John 3:16); Like Paul we should be ready to spend and be spent for our
brethren (2Cor.12:15); (ii) In giving our material possession (1 John 3:17-18).
Our love for the brethren should be practical, not empty talk.
The characteristics of agape love can be seen in 1Cor.13:1-13). This is
risky love and this is the kind of live God is asking us to manifest among our
brethren. Why is it risky? Because you stand to gain nothing from the subject
of your love. Your reward is only from the Father of love. And He will reward
you greatly.
Have you responded to the love of God? Have you been born into the
family of God? Are you practicing righteousness now? Are you loving the
brethren according to the commandment of God? What can you show to prove that
you are now a child of God?
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