1 John 03:10-15 – Children of God vs Children of the Devil – audio

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Text: 1 John 3:10-15 KJV (Reading by Andy Anderson)

Introduction

1. In our previous study, we saw where John described two different kinds of people:

a. One who continuously practices sin, and is therefore of the devil – 1 John 3:8a

b. One born of God, who does not continuously practice sin – 1 John 3:9

2. John continues to illustrate the contrast between the children of God and the children of the devil in 1 John 3:10, presenting two criteria which distinguishes them:

a. Practicing righteousness

b. Brotherly love

3. Both of these criteria have already been introduced earlier in this epistle:

a. John enjoined brotherly love as necessary to abiding in the light – 1 John 2:9-11

b. He connected practicing righteousness to being born of Him – 1 John 2:29; 3:7

4. It is primarily the subject of brotherly love that John expounds upon throughout the rest of this epistle, including that which serves as our text for this study – 1 John 3:10-15

Body

I. LOVE DISTINGUISHES THE CHILDREN OF GOD (1 John 3:10-13)

A. TWO THINGS MANIFEST THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD’S CHILDREN AND THE DEVIL’S CHILDREN (1 John 3:10)

1. The word manifest means:

a. To show or demonstrate plainly; reveal

b. To be evidence of; prove

2. That which clearly demonstrates the children of God are:

a. The practice of righteousness

b. The love of the brethren

3. Whereas those who are the children of the devil are clearly revealed when they:

a. Do not practice righteousness

b. Do not have brotherly love

B. THE COMMAND TO LOVE IS FROM THE BEGINNING (1 John 3:11)

1. In other words, from the beginning of the gospel, spoken by Jesus – John 13:34-35

2. Note that Jesus also stressed how loving one another would make the children of God (His disciples) manifest to the world: by this all will know – John 13:35

C. EXPECT SOME CONFLICT BETWEEN THESE TWO CHILDREN (1 John 3:12-13)

1. Just as Cain killed his brother Abel

a. He who was of the wicked one killed his brother

b. The murder was sparked by the contrast between the works of the two

2. So don’t be surprised if the world hates you as well – John 15:18-20

D. When we follow the teachings of Jesus, especially His command to love one another, it soon becomes evident (manifest) that we are different from those of the world. But that difference sometimes leads to jealousy and its unpleasant consequences.

E. Why do we have to heed a command that makes us stand out so?

II. LOVE SIGNIFIES A PASSING FROM DEATH TO LIFE (1 John 3:14-15)

A. IT IS A MARK OF TRUE CONVERSION (1 John 3:14a)

1. Certainly brotherly love is not the ONLY indicator

2. Remember that we must also practice righteousness – Galatians 5:22-23

3. But love for the brethren is a positive sign that true conversion has occurred

B. WHEREAS LACK OF LOVE IS AN OMINOUS SIGN (1 John 3:14b-15)

1. That one abides in death

2. As we saw earlier, one who hates his brother is in darkness until now – 1 John 2:9, 11

3. Indeed, hating one’s brother makes one a murderer! (just like Cain)

4. And it should be self-evident that a murderer does not possess eternal life!

C. WHY DO CHRISTIANS NOT LOVE THEIR BRETHREN?

1. It MAY be an indication that true conversion never occurred, and that they are Christians in name only

2. It MAY be that there was true conversion:

a. But the Christian is still a babe in Christ – 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

b. Or that what the writer of Hebrews feared has occurred – Hebrews 3:12-14

3. In ANY circumstance, it is not what God desires for us!

Conclusion

1. Two compelling reasons are therefore given by John for why we should love one another:

a. It distinguishes the children of God

b. It signifies a passing from death to life

2. John will have more to say about love and its value, but may these two reasons compel us to examine our hearts and our attitudes toward our brethren!

3. Let brotherly love continue – Hebrews 13:1