1 John 3

1 John 3 focuses on the love of God manifested through Jesus Christ and how believers, as children of God, should live in response to that love. It emphasizes the transformation that love brings, urging believers to live righteously and love one another, contrasting the lives of God's children with those of the world. The chapter also discusses the assurance of salvation and how love should be demonstrated not just in words but in truth and action.

1 John 3:1-3 (NKJV)
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.
2 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.

This passage highlights the incredible love of God the Father, who calls believers His children, a privilege that the world does not recognize because it does not know Him. This passage reassures believers that although they are already children of God, their full transformation into Christ’s likeness will be realized when Christ returns. The hope of seeing Christ as He is serves as a motivation for purity, as those who truly anticipate His return will seek to reflect His character in their lives. This passage begins by emphasizing the Father's love in making us His children and then shifts to Christ's return, when believers will be fully transformed. It underscores the importance of living a sanctified life, demonstrating that genuine faith produces a desire for holiness and readiness for Christ’s second coming.

1 John 3:4-8 (NKJV)
4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

This section defines sin as lawlessness and highlights the purpose of Christ’s coming—to take away sin and destroy the works of the devil. Those who abide in Christ will not continue in sin, as a true relationship with Him leads to a transformed life. Persistent sin is evidence that one does not truly know Him, while righteousness is the mark of those who are born of God. The passage warns against deception, affirming that only those who practice righteousness are truly of God. It also reveals the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan, emphasizing that Jesus came to break the power of sin and free His followers from the devil’s influence. True faith results in obedience, showing that those who belong to God will reflect His character rather than continue in rebellion.

1 John 3:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

This section explains that those who are truly born of God do not continue in sin because God’s seed—His divine nature—remains in them, transforming their hearts and minds. This does not mean believers are incapable of making mistakes, but rather that they will not live in habitual sin or rebellion against God. The passage draws a clear distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil: those who practice righteousness and love their brothers belong to God, while those who do not reflect His character show that they are not His. This reinforces the principle that true conversion results in a life of obedience and love, demonstrating the reality of being born of God.

1 John 3:11-15 (NKJV)
11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.
13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

This passage emphasizes the foundational message of love, contrasting righteousness with hatred. It recalls the example of Cain, who murdered Abel out of jealousy and evil motives, warning that hatred is a sign of being aligned with darkness rather than God. The passage teaches that love for one another is evidence of abiding in Christ, while hatred is spiritually equivalent to murder, preventing one from inheriting eternal life. This underscores the importance of genuine Christian love, not merely in words but in action, as a reflection of God's character and a mark of true believers.

1 John 3:16-18 (NKJV)
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

True love is defined by the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus giving His life for us. John exhorts believers to emulate this sacrificial love not only in words but in actions, particularly by being generous and caring towards those in need. This tangible expression of love confirms the reality of God’s love in a believer’s life.

1 John 3:19-21 (NKJV)
19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.

This passage reassures believers that they can have confidence before God when they live according to truth and love. Verse 19 emphasizes that a life of love and obedience confirms that we belong to the truth, giving us assurance in our relationship with God. Verse 20 acknowledges that sometimes our hearts may condemn us due to guilt or doubt, but God is greater than our hearts—He sees the sincerity of our faith and knows all things, offering us reassurance even when we struggle with self-doubt. Finally, verse 21 encourages believers to have confidence before God when their hearts do not condemn them, meaning that when we live in faith and obedience, we can approach Him boldly without fear. This passage highlights that our assurance is not based on feelings but on trusting God’s love, mercy, and truth, which give us peace and confidence in our walk with Him.

1 John 3:22-24 (NKJV)
22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
23 And this is His commandment, that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

John highlights the connection between obedience, faith, love, and God’s presence in the believer’s life. Verse 22 speaks of receiving answers to prayer because we keep God’s commandments, referring to all that He instructs His people to follow. However, verse 23 simplifies these into one central commandment—to believe in Jesus Christ and love one another. This does not set aside the other commandments but shows that faith in Christ and love are the foundation of true obedience. All other commandments find their fulfillment in these two because when someone truly believes in Christ and loves others, they will naturally live in harmony with God’s will. Finally, verse 24 reassures believers that those who live by this faith and love abide in God, and His Spirit dwells in them as proof of this abiding relationship. This passage teaches that true obedience is not just about following rules but about a transformed life rooted in faith, love, and a deep connection with God.