OUR SECURE POSITION IN CHRIST 1 John 3:1-2

HAVE WE EVER COME TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE DOUBTED OUR POSITION AS CHRISTIANS? WAS THERE EVER A TIME WHEN WE HAVE ASKED WHETHER WE ARE SAVED OR NOT?

Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “Perhaps, the greatest weakness in the Christian church is that we fail to realize who we are in Christ.”

Three important truths that will help us realize our secured position in Christ: 1. Our Glorious God: His Great Love and Grace – “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us…”v.1a

Three important truths that will help us realize our secured position in Christ: 2. Our Glorious Position: Beloved children of God – “that we should be called children of God…”v.1b

Three important truths that will help us realize our secured position in Christ: 3. Our Glorious Destiny: Glorified like Christ – “we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is”v.2b

Context: 1 John 1:29 – True faith is necessarily connected with a holy and pure life!

Christianity first begins with what God has done before telling us what we must do. Right thinking or belief leads to right living!

1. OUR GLORIOUS GOD: HIS GREAT LOVE AND GRACE – “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us…”v.1a

“Behold” in Scripture: a. As demonstration (pagpapakita) - John 19:14 b. As admiration (paghanga) - Lam 1:12 c. As gratification (pagkamangha na may kasiyahan) - Psalm 121:4

A.W. PINK: A1. Behold it with faith and confidence. A2. Behold it with adoring gratitude. A3. Behold it with exultation and jubilation.

ISAIAH 40:10 “Behold, the Lord God will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him.”

A.W. PINK: “John would have his little children contemplate this glorious truth of the Father’s love with reverence and awe, for he would stir up their pure minds to holy wonderment and admiration. He would have them engage their best thoughts thereon to the ravishing of their souls.”

“What manner of love…” Jer 31:3 – “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Rom 5:8 1 John 4:19

“What manner of love…” The sole origin of this love is within God. 1. Sovereign in its exercise. 2. Gracious in its communication. 3. Merciful in its regards. 4. Everlasting in its continuance. (from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)

God has bestowed great love upon US! B1. This truth should deepen our humility. B2. This truth should strengthen our confidence. B3. This truth should excite our affection. Eph. 3:16-19; Rom 8:37-39

Charles Wesley: And Can it Be: “And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviour’s blood? Died He for me who caused His pain; For me who Him to death pursued. Amazing love how can it be that Thou my God shouldst die for me? Amazing love how can it be That thou my God shouldst die for me?

2. OUR GLORIOUS POSITION: BELOVED CHILDREN OF GOD – “that we should be called children of God…”v.1b

Eph 1:4-5: “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.”

John 1:12-13 I Pet. 1:3 Gal. 4:4-7 We are enjoying full status and privilege as children of God. God did not merely remove our guilt. He bestowed upon us the merit of Christ and has adopted us as fellow heirs with our Savior.

Rom. 8: Peter 1:3-4 Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Our security is not in our performance, but in the Father’s love. Martin Luther: “I cannot say that I do feel that I am a child of God, but I know that I am a child of God.”

Martyn Lloyd Jones: “We shall never be more the children of God than we are now.. I shall be a better man then, but I shall be no more a child of God... You are either a child of God or you are not... once you are born of the Spirit, you are a child of God (Life in Christ, Studies in 1 John, 277).

3. OUR GLORIOUS DESTINY: GLORIFIED LIKE CHRIST – “we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is”v.2b

Our present humble status in the world does not reflect our destiny and we have a lot to look forward to! Col. 3:4; Rom. 8:19,23

Jesus will appear. 2 Peter 3: Thess 4:16-18 Rev. 1:7

John Piper: “We will delight in the Father with maximum intensity forever.”

We will be glorified with Him. Rom 8:17 2 Cor 3:18 Phil 3: Cor 15:50-57

Richard Baxter (Hymn): Lord, it belongs not to my care whether I die or live; to love and serve Thee is my share, and this Thy grace must give.

If life be long, I will be glad that I may long obey; If short, yet why should I be sad to soar to endless day?

Christ leads me through no darker rooms than He went through before; He that into God’s kingdom comes must enter by this door.

Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet Thy blessed face to see; for if Thy work on earth be sweet, what will Thy glory be?

Then shall I end my sad complaints and weary sinful days, and join with the triumphant saints who sing Jehovah’s praise.

My knowledge of that life is small; the eye of faith is dim; but ‘tis enough that Christ knows all, and I shall be with Him!