Grace in the Everyday: Devotional Reflections

MONDAY, 17 JUNE 2024

TEXT: 1 John 3:1-10

1. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

2. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

3. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

4. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

5. You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

6. No one who abides in him in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

7. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

8. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of evil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

9. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.

10. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

(English Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: MARK OF A CHILD OF GOD

John points out that it is God’s love that makes us his children. The climax of this new relationship is that is that when He returns, we shall be like Him and even have the privilege of seeing Him just as He is.

So, all of those who have this hope should choose a life of purity or living above reproach. This new life should naturally become the identity of the child of God.

We should no longer continue living in sin because Jesus has taken away our sins and given us a new nature and identity. It is true that by a tree’s fruit, you can identify its species.

Also, it is through the life of sinfulness that you can distinguish those who do not know Jesus Christ. By perpetually living in sin, you show that you are a follower of Satan who is the father of all sinners.

Everyone is driven by something or someone which manifests in your daily life. Our lives are driven by our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That is why we should love one another and pursue righteousness.

QUESTION: Looking at your life, would you say that it driven by sin or righteousness and the love of God?

PRAYER: Your answer should guide your prayer.