Big Idea: Our identity as God’s children shows up in a changed life.
1: Our Identity Anchors Us in Gospel Confidence
1 John 2:28-3:3 “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
The fruit reveals the root. When we’re born of God, our lives overflow with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Knowing that Jesus is coming back and that we will be made like Him stirs us to pursue holiness, to rid ourselves of anything that hinders our walk with God.
2: Our Identity Leads To Progressive Transformation
1 John 3:4-7 “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.”
Progressive transformation is not about perfection it is about our spiritual trajectory. The fact that we have a deep desire to be like Jesus is proof that we belong to Jesus.
Transformation isn’t instant, but it is inevitable for those who belong to God.
3: Our Identity Produces Undeniable Evidence
1 John 3:8-10 “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”
The evidence of our faith isn’t just about avoiding certain behaviors; it’s about reflecting the character of Christ.
Hebrews 12:7-8: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined — and everyone undergoes discipline — then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.”
This is the ultimate marker of genuine faith — is a heart that desires to do what is right and a genuine love for others.
