Bible Study 1 John Chapter 3 Believers Behave Like Their Father

Believers are Children of God
1John 3 begins with a declaration that we are children of God v1. We are like Him in appearance (as glorious as Him when he comes) and we should naturally behaves like Him.

The Behavior of Him
There are two aspects of His behavior pointed out in this chapter. Namely,

1. Purity - Righteousness - Sin free and hence Sin NOT (v3-10). Sinning is of the devil (v8) and righteousness is of the God(4,6,9). Our outward behavior is the result of our inward character. He who is born of God will not enjoy and stayed in sin. Sin should be unnatural to him.
   
2. Love one another in deeds & truth (v11-24)
• Jesus set the example by laying down His life for us. We are to do likewise 3:16
• Love not just in words but in action (v18)- 2 types of action:
• Giving to those in Needs (3:17) according to our ability.
• Correcting those in sin (5:16)
• Love is in Truth (v19) according to the Word of God. 
• put on the breastplate of righteousness Eph 6:14. Eph 4:24 ...to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
• Let the Word of God rules our hearts that we ask according to His will and receive the result from Him (3:22). God cannot give us things that violate His character and His words. We cannot force God. We follow Him.

The Greatest Commandment of God for Man- Believe Jesus and Love like Him
This topic is so important that I put it into a new paragraph. We are supposed to follow God's will. What is God's greatest desire and commandment for us? It is to believe His Son Jesus Christ and love one another (1 Jn 3:23). Our believe in Jesus is shown in our following all His commandments and thereby abiding in Him or more specifically in His LOVE (v24). We love as and with His love for us. The following chapter goes into a detailed discussion of the True Love of Jesus. This commandment is the upgraded version of OT love God and love others as yourself. To put it in internet term:

Commandment 1.0 - Love God and love others like yourself.
Commandment 2.0 - Believe in Jesus Christ and love others like Him with His love.

Jesus does not ask us to do things without giving us the power to do. He rebirth us with His Spirit and give Himself to us that we may be like Him by living out the Christ in us.

Questions for Reflection:

1. In what ways are we like our Father?
2. How can you tell you are of your Father?
3. What is the greatest commandment for man now?

Questions for Application:

1. How do we love one another?
2. List down some specific actions you need to take in the coming week for any member or your family, friends or even your enemy.

See also Bible Study 1 John 3 Discussion
Next: Bible Study 1 John Chapter 4 Discernment & True Love.

Bible Study on Galatians 4 Son vs Slave Discussion

Q1 What is the difference between Heir and Slave?

1. Heir: inherit estate, give orders, and take initiative
   Stages: children = slave = follow orders, son - matured - right time
2. Slave: work for salary (a living), follow orders, reactive

Q2 How do I apply this to my life now?

• Which stage of Son-ship am I? Child or a mature Son?
• Do I need a Mentor to guide me?
• Am I in any kind of bondage? Am I free to act rather than forced to act?
• I have ability and creativity
• Am I taking initiative rather than reactive?
• Am I complaining instead of doing something about it?
• Am I working and learning for growth?

Q3 What are the responsibilities of being a true friend?

• Telling the truth and doing it in the Right Way
• The Right way:

1. establish your identity, position & authority to speak, the credentials, such as the Bible
2. show evidences
3. show endorsements from relevant authorities
4. use illustrations to communicate better e.g. Nathan on David's adultery & murder.
5. packaged in love Eph 4:15. You need to earn the right to be listened to. Start with love, gain trust then earn the right to speak to be listened to.
6. The Way of Love (in Truth) is a more powerful way than just Confrontation which leads to mutual destruction. e.g. Gandhi for India, M Luther King Jr for the Blacks, N Mandela of S Africa.

Q4 What action do I need to take from this learning about true friendship?
Is there anyone I should I extend my love to? Are there improvements to be made in the way we correct someone?

Q5 What is the difference between the two covenants?

1. Law: Slave:
1. Performance for acceptance
2. Stressed to Perform
3. Become either proud when we think we do well and condemned when we fail.
4. Who set the standards?
• Other People – We become Men-Pleasers.
• Self Perception of God – A Judgmental God, all ready to punish.
• Satan instigation
  
2.  Grace: Son ship:
1. Performance from Acceptance
2. Joy to Perform
3. Standards according to God – God glorifying work.
4. Productive and fruitful work see Ps 127:2

Q6 How does this change my behavior?

1. Not have to do but I want to do.
2. Not minimum standard, but God glorifying standards
3. Not by my power, but according to God's direction and empowerment to accomplish innovative, impactful things obtaining favors & good relationships with people.