1 John 3:2 = the definition of HOPE!
1 John 3:3 = the natural response to that HOPE!
1. WE KNOW THE CRIMINAL SINFULNESS that the Bible speaks of.
1 John 3:4
See Proverbs 5:16-19; Psalm 11:5; Matthew 13:41-42
Sin is a thief.
It will rob your soul of its life.
It will rob God of his glory.
Sin is a murderer.
It stabbed our father Adam.
It slew our purity.
Sin is a traitor.
It rebels against the king of heaven and earth.
(Spurgeon)
2. WE KNOW THE CONQUERING SAVIOR!
1 John 3:8 – He came to take away sins.
Isaiah 53:11-12; Hebrews 9:28;
1 John 3:8 – He appeared to destroy the works of the devil.
Genesis 3:15; Heb 2:14
3. WE SEE THE CONDUCT OF THE SAVED!
1 John 3:7, 9-10
- Don’t be deceived. (v7)
- You will practice righteousness because the one who lives in you IS RIGHTEOUSNESS! (v7)
- (v9-10) SINCE you have been born again…born of God
- You will NOT practice/increase in sinning.
- You will NOT be able to keep on sinning.
- You WILL practice/increase in righteousness.
- You WILL love/increase in love for your family in Christ.
RESPONSIVE READING:
Because Christ has saved me, I have a new nature.
Because Christ has taken away my sins, I have a new liberty and freedom.
Sin no longer masters me.
Sin is no longer the character and conduct of my life.
Because I now abide in Christ and in the power of His person and work in the gospel,
I may fall into sin, BUT I WILL NOT WALK IN SIN!
Sin will not be my habit or normal practice
I no longer love sin; I hate sin.
I no longer delight in sin; I despise sin.
CONCLUSION: