A sermon for Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
14 July 2024
1 John 3.1-7
Have you ever felt like you just can't measure up?
Maybe it's the constant barrage of curated perfection on social media,
the relentless drive for achievement at work,
or even the nagging voice inside our heads
that whispers doubts about our worth.
In today's world, it's easy to feel like we're constantly swimming upstream,
desperately trying to keep our heads above water
in a sea of shoulds, coulds, and never-ending comparisons.
We chase an ever-shifting image of success,
defined by external validation and fleeting trends.
This is the world many of us inhabit,
and it’s a world of low self esteem, poor mental health,
and stress related illness.
The question I want us to begin with this morning, though,
as we return to our summer series looking at the first letter of John,
is whether there is another way to live,
a way rooted not in the fickle judgments of the world,
but in unconditional love that surpasses all understanding.
Certainly, the author of the epistle seems to think so,
and he invites his readers to discover a transformative love
that doesn't wait for us to achieve a certain level of performance
or force us to fit a specific mould.
Instead, he describes a love that embraces us exactly as we are,
flaws and all,
and offers us a path towards becoming the best versions of ourselves.
Today’s passage from 1 John offers a powerful antidote
to the anxieties and pressures of the world.
It's a message filled with hope,
reminding us of our true identity,
and calling us to action as we take our next tentative steps
on the lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ.
I. Beloved Children: Redefining Our Identity in God's Love (1 John 3:1-2)
a world where worth isn't measured
by the number of likes on your latest post,
the size of your bank account,
or the prestige of your job title.
A world where your value isn't determined by the latest trends
or the fleeting opinions of others.
The first epistle of John invites us to step into such a reality.
In the opening two verses we are offered a radical redefinition of our identity,
one rooted not in external validation
but in the extravagant love of God.
The passage opens with an exclamation
that resonates with both awe and tenderness:
"See what love the Father has given us,
that we should be called children of God;
and that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1).
The author doesn't use passive language here,
rather he uses the imperative "see!"
“See what love the Father has given us!”
He is urging his readers to actively contemplate the magnitude of God's love;
a love so profound, so all-encompassing,
that they learn to see themselves not merely as the recipients of God’s love,
but beneficiaries of a transformative gift:
a new identity as children of God.
This isn't simply a metaphor or a sentimental title.
It's a declaration that carries immense weight.
In the ancient world, being a child of a deity held significant meaning.
It spoke of a special relationship, one of privilege and inheritance.
But John goes even further.
He emphasizes the present reality: declaring, "and that is what we are!"
In John’s theology, we are not children of God in some future, contingent sense.
Rather, we are God's children right now, in this very moment.
This truth, properly understood, has the capacity
to revolutionise the way we see ourselves.
Think about the implications.
As children of God, we share a deep and irrevocable connection
with the fundamental force of love in creation.
As children of God, we are part of a divine family,
embraced by a love that transcends human understanding.
And our belonging in this family, our status as dearly loved children of God
isn't based on our achievements, our social status,
or the ever-changing whims of our culture.
Rather, it's a love that sees us for who we truly are,
flaws and all, and chooses to love us anyway.
Now, we might well ask,
"But what about my mistakes? What about the times I fall short?"
Well, the truth is, we all stumble.
We all make choices that don't reflect the best versions of ourselves.
Our reading last week from the first chapter of this letter made that clear,
‘If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.’ (1 John 1.8)
What John is describing here isn't offering a conditional love
based on our performance.
Rather he's offering a transformative love
that empowers us to become more like the children we truly are.
This love doesn't deny our struggles
or minimize the importance of confession, repentance and personal growth.
Instead, it provides a foundation,
a safe space where we can acknowledge our shortcomings without shame.
It's a love that whispers to us in our darkest moments that we are loved,
not because of what we do, but because of who we are:
we are God’s deeply loved children.
This unwavering acceptance then becomes the fertile ground
where genuine transformation can take root.
Perhaps like so many of us,
you've been carrying the weight of unmet expectations
or feeling lost in a sea of comparisons.
Maybe you've struggled to see your own worth
through the distorting lens of the world.
Well, today, the first epistle of John invites you to lay down those burdens
and step into a new reality.
You are a beloved child of God,
and that is what defines you.
This truth, embraced and lived out,
has the power to transform not just our own lives,
but the world around us.
II. Hope for Transformation: Becoming More Like God (1 John 3:2-3)
Imagine gazing into a blurry mirror
that only offers a distorted reflection of yourself.
You know there's a clearer image waiting to be revealed,
but you lack the means to achieve it.
This is a good image for what the epistle does next,
as it offers a glimpse into a future where the fog clears,
revealing the full potential of who we are as children of God.
The letter offers a transformative vision for what it means to be human,
and this can serve as a powerful motivator for us
as we continue our journey of becoming more like Christ.
We are given a tantalizing hint:
“Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we will be has not yet been revealed.
What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him,
for we will see him as he is” (1 John 3:2)
The author here acknowledges the limitations of our current understanding.
We are children of God, yes,
but the full scope of what that means remains veiled.
It's like a bud on the verge of blooming
– we see the potential, but the final form hasn't yet been revealed.
However, John doesn't leave his readers hanging in uncertainty.
He offers a promise that fuels hope:
declaring "when he is revealed we shall be like him."
Like a child growing into their full adulthood,
so those who are declared children of God have much growing still to do,
and just as a child only has a limited understanding of their parents,
so there is more revelation of God to come
for those who enter into their status as adopted and beloved children of God
This future hope serves as a powerful motivator in the present.
John doesn't ask us to passively wait for the future.
Instead, verse 3 urges us to action:
"And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." (1 Jn 3.3)
The Greek word translated here as "purify"
carries the idea of ongoing consecration.
It's not a one-time event,
but a continuous process of aligning ourselves with God's will.
Some might interpret this as a call
to achieve some unattainable standard of perfection.
But John isn't advocating for self-flagellation
or a performance-based relationship with God.
The "hope set on him" provides the context.
We "purify ourselves" because we are motivated
by the transformative love and the future hope that God offers.
Here's where the concept gets particularly interesting,
especially for those of us engaged in social justice issues
and progressive movements.
Traditionally, "purifying ourselves" might be interpreted
as a call to personal piety or individual morality.
But consider this: God's love isn't a solitary experience.
It's meant to overflow and touch the world around us.
Imagine God's love as a radiant light.
As we move closer to that light,
we are not only transformed ourselves,
but we also become instruments of transformation in the world.
John's call to "purify ourselves" can be seen
as a call to align our actions with God's character,
and we know that his is a character defined by love,
by compassion, and by a commitment to justice.
This reframes our efforts towards social change.
It's not just about fighting for a better world
– it's about embodying the love and justice of God in the here and now.
When we advocate for the marginalized, fight for equality,
and work to repair a broken world,
we are actively participating in the process
of becoming more like Christ.
Our journey of transformation therefore isn't about earning God's love,
but rather is about expressing it.
As we move closer to the light of God's love,
we are empowered to become agents of positive change,
reflecting God’s compassion and justice in the world around us.
This ongoing process of purification,
fuelled by hope and motivated by love,
is the path towards becoming the best versions of ourselves,
the versions that truly mirror the image of God within us.
III. Sin and Forgiveness: The Journey, Not the Destination (1 John 3:4-7)
And then we come to the problem of sin.
The first letter of John is not some overly-idealistic call
for love and justice in the name of God.
It takes seriously what it means to be human,
and that means it takes seriously what it means to be sinful.
Imagine embarking on a breath-taking hike,
a journey towards a magnificent mountain peak.
The path is challenging, with moments of doubt and fatigue.
But the breath-taking vista that awaits fuels your determination.
In verses 4-7 of our reading this morning,
the author addresses the inevitable stumbles we encounter
on our journey of becoming more like God.
And in doing so he offers a message of hope and forgiveness,
reminding us that even on the path of transformation, we will make mistakes.
The passage opens with a seemingly harsh statement:
"Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4).
John doesn't shy away from the reality of sin.
We all fall short at times,
making choices that don't reflect the love and compassion we aspire to embody.
But here's the key distinction John makes:
he differentiates between occasional failings
and a persistent pattern of rebellion against God's will.
The Greek word translated as "commits", as in ‘everyone who commits sin’
suggests a deliberate, ongoing choice
to live outside of God's loving embrace.
This distinction is crucial for those of us
who struggle with guilt and shame.
We are not defined by our occasional missteps.
As John reminds us later in the passage,
echoing the language of abiding in Christ from John’s gospel:
"No one who abides in him sins." (1 John 3:6).
True transformation doesn't mean achieving some state of sinlessness,
but rather aligning our hearts with God's will
and actively turning away from choices that lead us astray.
Now, some might wonder,
"Doesn't this contradict the message of God's unconditional love?"
Absolutely not.
The beauty of John's message
is that it holds both truths in tension.
God's love is unconditional,
meaning it's not based on our performance.
However, that love motivates us
to live in a way that reflects his character.
Here's where the concept of forgiveness comes in.
John writes: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
This verse from the first chapter is crucial
in helping us grasp what John is doing here in chapter 3.
We don't have to carry the burden of guilt and shame alone.
When we acknowledge our shortcomings and turn back towards God,
we encounter forgiveness and a continuation of the process of our purification.
But this process isn't about earning forgiveness
or making deals with God.
Rather, it's about acknowledging the truth of our situation
and embracing the ongoing transformation offered by his grace.
It's a reminder that the journey
towards becoming more like God is just that – a journey.
There will be bumps along the road, moments of weakness,
and times when we stumble.
But God's love remains constant,
a guiding light illuminating our path forward into the darkness of the future.
The passage concludes with a powerful statement of confidence:
"Little children, let no one deceive you.
Everyone who does what is right is righteous,
just as he is righteous. " (1 John 3:7).
John reminds us that as we live in accordance with God's love and compassion,
we gradually become more like him.
It's not a one-time event, but a continuous process of growth
fuelled by God's love and forgiveness.
This message offers us genuine hope.
We don't have to be perfect to be loved by God.
Instead, we are invited to embrace the journey,
with all its stumbles and triumphs.
As we move closer to the light of God's love, we are empowered
to become instruments of compassion and justice in the world.
So let us walk this path together,
acknowledging our shortcomings,
celebrating our progress,
and holding fast to the incredible promise of transformation
offered by God's unconditional love.
Conclusion
So as we reflect on these verses from 1 John 3,
I hope we’re hearing a message of hope, forgiveness, and motivation.
The world may bombard us with expectations and comparisons,
leaving us feeling like we never quite measure up.
But today, we've explored a different reality.
We are not defined by the fleeting judgments of others,
but by the extravagant love of God.
We are God’s beloved children, embraced exactly as we are, flaws and all.
However, this truth should never be a source of complacency.
Instead, it should ignite a fire within us,
a desire to become the best versions of ourselves,
reflections of God's love in the world.
As we are ourselves purified by God’s love,
so we too become the agents of God’s love in the world,
embodying through our actions and our community
what it means to bring justice, peace, and righteousness to others,
so that they too can encounter God’s love in ways that are meaningful to their lives.
And yes, our journey of transformation will have its challenges.
We will stumble, we will make mistakes.
But John reminds us that God's love is constant,
a guiding light that illuminates the path forward.
So the call is for us to move closer to that light,
not through self-flagellation, but through compassion and action.
As we fight for justice, advocate for the marginalized,
and embody God's love in our daily lives,
we actively participate in this transformative process.
Remember, this is a journey, not a destination.
The call is for us to embrace the growth, celebrate the victories,
and find comfort in the forgiveness
offered by a God who loves each one of us unconditionally.
So, friends, go into this week, not burdened by expectations,
but empowered by love.
And may the light of God shine through you,
transforming your own life and the world around you.
Amen.
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