Eld Chew Chong Kiat

Sons of God
Text: 1 John 3:1-3
1John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Introduction
How do you see yourself as a Christian? While there are some professing Christians who wrongly see themselves as believers who ought to be wealthy, healthy and powerful on earth since they are sons of the most high God, there are others who see themselves as failures, useless and insignificant because they are without financial and material wealth. They devalue themselves and are labelled by the world as people who have ‘low self-esteem’. How should we as Christians view ourselves biblically as we witness for God on earth?

Christians are Sons of God
The Apostle John exclaims in 1Jo 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:” (v. 1a). ‘Behold’ is a word expressing wonder and excitement. It is indeed beyond human comprehension that sinners who are worthy of eternal separation from a most holy God and eternal damnation in hell should be freely pardoned and brought nigh to God as His children. As children of God they also inherit spiritual and physical blessings that they do not deserve. The Apostle John was not able to find the adjectives to fully describe the greatness of God’s love, so that he used the phrase “what manner of love”! Yes, what love! What grace!

When a condemned criminal with a noose around his neck is set free by presidential pardon, he would be overwhelmed by such great mercy. When he is also invited to the Istana for a meal with the President and adopted as his son - words would fail to describe such mercy, grace and love.

This was what God did for us and more!

John adds, “that we should be called the sons of God”. Not servants, friends and relatives but sons, co-heirs with Christ “to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven” (1Pe 1:4). To address God, who is our Judge, as our Father in heaven is an immense privilege that should humble us and make us joyful, grateful and so deeply indebted to Him that we would love and serve Him all the days of our lives.

The Apostle John wants all believers to know that they are children of God, not only in name, but in reality. Their relationship with God should cure them of any feelings of unworthiness; or a “low self-esteem” on the one hand, and any sinful high-minded “health and wealth” mentality on the other. It should lead them to a right and sober biblical view of themselves. While it is sinful to think oneself more highly than one ought to think, it is no less sinful to belittle oneself as useless and incapable of any good. (Rom 12:3-4) The latter degrades the mighty transforming power of the grace of God and dishonours God as our Saviour.

Children of God must have a sober perspective of who they are in Christ. They are given at least one spiritual gift. With the Spirit’s help, they must use their gifts to serve God and man, thus bringing glory to His Name, magnifying the saving grace of God. Then will our Father in heaven be proud to call us His children and He our God. Every child of God owes it to God to so shine for Christ in this world of darkness.

The Apostle John warns the Christian to be prepared to suffer for Christ. It should bring great comfort to the believer to know that he is a child of God and loved by Him. God calls him the “apple of his eye” (Deut 32:10, Zech 2:8). He who attacks a child of God is attacking God. He that blesses a son of God blesses God. O child of God, if others make disparaging remarks about you and persecute you when you live for Christ and walk in the path of righteousness, be not surprised, because “the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (v1b). The focus here is on experiential knowledge. The world does not have our experience with God in Christ.

Christians are to Live as Sons of God

John reaffirms in v2 that “now are we sons of God”. We need not wait to become children of God. We already are, since the day we believed.

John goes on to speak of a future hope for God’s children: “and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

The NOW and the FUTURE confirm our blessedness, not for a moment but for eternity. Our status as sons of God has already started and it will continue forever. But the external and visible glory will be in the future when we shall be changed and clothed in immortality. We will be given the glory when we are transformed into the likeness of Christ.

v3 “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
By this verse is implied that the sons of God here on earth will continue to struggle against sin when we live as sons of God. But thanks be to God for the blessed hope that one day all the struggles will end. This hope enables us to press on just as a marathon runner would press on in the race knowing that the end is sure and glory awaits him. Also, we have the grace of God to purify ourselves now and keep ourselves from sin. And when we sin, and “confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jo 1:9)

When we rightly understand our calling as children of God now and of the future glory He has promised, we will purify ourselves and live a life of holiness and righteousness here and now because our Saviour the Lord Jesus is pure.

Are you a child of God? Do you have feelings of inferiority, condemnation, and hopelessness and think that you are unworthy and useless because of your sin? God’s Word declares that if you are in Christ, you are now sons of God, precious to God. Stop devaluing yourself. Be humble and thankful for the grace of God and treasure this blessedness of your calling as sons of God and “walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1Th 2:12). To devalue yourself and be overwhelmed by self-pity and to live as a ‘spiritual orphan’, unloved and without hope is a sin. Such an outlook will surely lead to fruitlessness in your testimony. Shine forth as a new creature in Christ Jesus and let others wonder how a sinner is made a saint, how one so unprofitable can be transformed into one who can become profitable to both man and God. (Phm 1:11) Let the world know the abundant life you now have in Christ when before it was misery and darkness. Amen.