February 24, 2019
Morning Service

Last week we reviewed the way the scriptures defines sin and how David displayed what true repentance looks like.  The sin, confession and forgiveness cycle that is a part of all of our journeys with Jesus was designed to help us play close attention to staying on the path of righteousness and keep us relying upon our loving Savior.  There is no place to quit along our journey and we can’t do this alone; we need a loving Savior.  We are sinners saved by grace.  We also finished chapter 2 where John gave us this warning and the proper perspective to keep:

1Jn 2:15-17  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  (17)  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

            It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of all this world has to offer; if we are not careful we can even fall in love with it.  These things of the world do not draw us closer to God, but they separate us from Him.  Be on guard to know who owns and controls your heart.  The pleasures of this world all are only temporary, but “He who does the will of God abides forever.” 

            This morning we will look at how we not only identify ourselves as sinners saved by grace, but also as the children of God.

1Jn 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  

            As we look at ourselves and form our own identity of who we really are, we should base that on the fact that God, the Creator of this world, calls us His children.  I would be very happy if God allowed me to be His servant or even slave; but God always gives us more than we deserve.  He calls us His children, not simply because He created us, but because He loved us and has chosen us for adoption into His family.  I love how Paul explained this to the Romans;

Romans 8:14-17  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  (15)  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."  (16)  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  (17)  and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

We are adopted into God’s family.  According to Roman culture, adopted children lost all rights to their old family and gained all rights as a legitimate child into their new family.  The child also became a full heir to his new father’s estate.  Paul’s example ties in perfectly into the teaching of us putting off the “old man” (sin and death) and putting on the “new man” (hope and peace).   We are truly “new creations” in Christ as we are adopted into God’s family and considered His children.  With that new status notice we also became full heirs of all our Father’s estate has to offer.  This inheritance is twofold because we shall suffer with Him and be glorified in heaven together as joint heirs with Christ.  We have a place that we are loved and a place to belong in the family of God.  Let’s return to I John.

1Jn 3:2-3  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  (3)  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

            There is a bit of mystery to what our future looks like; we have not been given a crystal clear picture but only glimpses.  The one thing we do know is that Jesus will be there and “we shall be like Him and we shall see Him as He is.”   John told us in Revelation 21 that Jesus says; “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be their God and they shall be my children.”  We will live and dwell with Him and be like Him; forever. 

This is our hope and our eternal retirement plan that cannot be taken from us.  This is what lies at the end of our journey.  Our perspective and focus must be locked in to this unmistakable truth.  (John 14:1-3) This temporary life will one day come to an end and our eternal life will begin.  Our struggles with sin, death, pain, stress and disappointment will be over and our eternal life will be far greater than we can even imagine!  John wrote this in Revelations:

 

Rev 21:3-5  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  (4)  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  (5)  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

            With this hope locked into our vision and now being members of God’s family, John now commands us to “purify ourselves, just as He is pure.” Since we have these promises of what our future will look like we must take the path that leads us to that point.  A couple that retires and is financially secure, got there by following their vision of what they wanted retirement to look like; it happened only because they chose to follow their vision.  The vision of living eternally in heaven is a process that leads us to be more like Christ; we must follow the path.  Paul told the Ephesian church this:

 

Eph 2:10  For we are His workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

            God has adopted us as His children and now has prepared us to walk a path that includes good works.  We should be continually seeking to be found in His will and doing these works that He has prepared for us to do.  We are to be utilizing the gifts God has given us to uplift those He has put around us.  He has placed us uniquely in position in someone’s life to do His good works as we become Jesus to them.  It is our hope of eternal life and our love and gratitude towards our Savior that should be driving us along this path. 

            By knowing our ultimate destiny is to be with Christ in a place that He has prepared for us should motivate us to as John said “purify ourselves.”  We must strive to keep sin out of lives and walk according to the Spirit not according to the flesh.  James commanded us to do this:

 

 

 

Jas 4:8  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

            We purify ourselves by “drawing near to God;” strengthening our relationship with Him.  He promises as we make an effort to draw closer to Him, “He will draw near to you.”  Our walk with Jesus is a relationship.  We are His children and heirs.  We serve and follow Him because we love Him and we believe the promises He has made us for the future.  We can be as close to our Lord as we choose to be; it is up to us.  I have never spoken to anyone who has said; “I have lived too close to God;” it is usually the opposite.

 

            What about you?  Have you locked in your focus on heaven as being a reality of your future?

 Is that fact motivating you to “purify your heart and draw closer to God?”

Is the path you are walking bringing you closer to Jesus or taking you away from Him?

 

Abba Father thank You for your love for us and please fill us with the desire to purify ourselves and draw closer unto You.