QT 23/11/2026 Mon 1John 3 Living as God’s Children — Privileges & Responsibilities 作为神的儿女而活——特权与责任

QT 23/11/2026 Mon 1John 3  Living as God’s Children — Privileges & Responsibilities
READ https://www.esv.org/1john+3/

What does it mean to be a child of God? It is more than a title—it is a new identity with new responsibilities! In 1 John 3, discover the privileges of God's children and three ways our lives should reflect our heavenly Father's character.

In 1 John 3, the apostle John reveals the wonderful privilege of being called God's children. Yet this privilege also brings responsibilities. As God's children, we are called to pursue righteousness, love one another, and live differently from the world.

(1) Our Privilege: We Are Children of God (vv. 1–3)

John begins with a remarkable declaration: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." (v. 1, ESV)

Our identity as God's children originates in His love, not our achievements. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the privilege of belonging to God's family. Although the world may not understand or recognise us, we have the assurance that we belong to God. Furthermore, we look forward to the day when Christ appears and we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

This glorious hope should influence how we live today. John explains that everyone who hopes in Christ purifies himself as Christ is pure.

Application:

• Thank God for the privilege of being His child through Jesus Christ.
• Find your identity in God's love rather than the world's approval.
• Live in holiness as you look forward to Christ's return.

Key lesson: Our identity as God's children is a gift of grace that inspires us to pursue holiness.

(2) Our Responsibility: Practise Righteousness (vv. 4–10)

John makes a clear distinction between practising righteousness and living in habitual sin. Jesus Christ came to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. This does not mean that Christians become instantly perfect. Rather, those who belong to Christ cannot treat sin as an acceptable way of life. God's transforming work changes their attitudes and conduct.

John also reminds us that our actions reveal something about our spiritual identity. Those who belong to God should increasingly reflect His righteousness, while those who persistently practise sin demonstrate a life inconsistent with His character. We are not saved by our good works; instead, righteous living is evidence of the transforming grace of God.

Application:

• Take sin seriously instead of making excuses for it.
• Confess your failures and seek God's help to change.
• Examine whether your conduct reflects the righteousness of Christ.

Key lesson: God's children are called to live righteously because they belong to a righteous Father.

(3) Our Responsibility: Love One Another (vv. 11–18)

John returns to a central Christian command: love one another. He contrasts Cain, who murdered his brother out of jealousy, with Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us. Christ is the supreme example of genuine love. Therefore, Christian love must go beyond words and feelings. It should be demonstrated through practical care and sacrificial service.

John challenges believers who possess material resources but refuse to help fellow Christians in need. Such indifference contradicts the love of God. True Christian love is expressed not merely through what we say, but through what we are willing to do for others.

Application:

• Look for practical ways to help those in need.
• Reject jealousy, hatred, and selfishness.
• Demonstrate love through generosity, kindness, and service.

Key lesson: God's children reflect their Father's love by caring for others in practical ways.

(4) Our Privilege and Assurance: Confidence Before God (vv. 19–24)

John explains that genuine love reassures our hearts before God. Even when our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. This reminds us that our assurance does not rest on our emotions alone. God knows our true condition, and we can approach Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

John also encourages believers to obey God's commandments and believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, while loving one another. Those who keep His commandments abide in Him, and He abides in them. The Holy Spirit, whom God has given us, confirms His presence in our lives.

Application:

• When doubts arise, look to God's truth rather than relying solely on your feelings.
• Approach God through Jesus Christ with a sincere heart.
• Trust the Holy Spirit to help you grow in obedience and love.

Key lesson: Our confidence before God grows as we trust Christ and live in the obedience that flows from faith.

Conclusion: Living as God's Children

First John 3 reveals both the privileges and responsibilities of belonging to God's family.

Our privileges:

• We are loved and called children of God.
• We have the hope of becoming like Christ when He appears.
• We can approach God with confidence through Jesus Christ.

Our responsibilities:

• Pursue righteousness and turn away from sin.
• Love one another through practical actions.
• Obey God's commandments and remain in Christ.

We must remember that these responsibilities do not earn our place in God's family. Rather, they are the fruit of His transforming grace. The question is not simply whether we claim to be God's children, but whether our lives increasingly reflect our Father's character. May we live each day with gratitude for our privileges and faithfulness to our responsibilities as children of God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love in calling us Your children through Jesus Christ. Help us to live according to this wonderful privilege. Give us strength to turn away from sin, pursue righteousness, and love others through practical acts of kindness and sacrifice. When our hearts condemn us, remind us of Your truth and help us trust in Christ. May our lives reflect Your character as we await the return of our Saviour. In Jesus' name, Amen.

QT 23/11/2026 星期一 约翰一书 3 作为神的儿女而活——特权与责任
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/1jn/3/

成为神的儿女意味着什么？这不仅仅是一个头衔——而是一种新的身份，伴随着新的责任！在《约翰一书》第3章中，让我们来发掘作神儿女的特权，以及我们的生活应当如何在三个方面反映天父的品格。

在《约翰一书》第3章中，使徒约翰揭示了被称为“神儿女”这一美妙的特权。然而，这份特权同时也伴随着责任。作为神的儿女，我们被呼召要追求公义、彼此相爱，并活出有别于世人的生命。

(1) 我们的特权：我们是神的儿女（1–3节）

约翰以一段非凡的宣告开篇：“… 父赐给我们的是怎样的爱，就是让我们可以称为　神的儿女，我们也真是他的儿女 ...”（1节）。

我们作为神儿女的身份源于祂的爱，而非我们的成就。借着对耶稣基督的信心，我们获得了属于神家的一份特权。尽管世人或许不理解或不承认我们，但我们确信自己属于神。此外，我们期待基督显现的那一天，那时我们将像祂一样，因为我们将看见祂本来的样子。

这份荣耀的盼望应当影响我们今日的生活方式。约翰解释说，凡在基督里有盼望的人，就照着基督的纯全洁净自己。

应用：

• 感谢上帝，因着耶稣基督，我们有幸成为祂的儿女。
• 在上帝的爱中寻找自己的身份，而非世人的认可。
• 在期盼基督再来之际，过圣洁的生活。

关键教训：我们作为上帝儿女的身份是恩典的礼物，它激励我们追求圣洁。

(2) 我们的责任：行公义（第4–10节）

约翰明确区分了“行公义”与“习惯性地活在罪中”。耶稣基督降世是为了除掉罪，而在祂里面没有罪。这并不意味着基督徒会立刻变得完美。相反，属基督的人不能将罪视为一种可接受的生活方式。上帝改变人的工作会更新他们的态度和行为。

约翰还提醒我们，我们的行为揭示了我们的属灵身份。属于神的人应当日益彰显祂的公义，而那些持续行罪的人，其生活则与神的性情不相符。我们并非因善行得救；相反，公义的生活正是神改变人恩典的明证。

应用：

• 认真对待罪，而不是为罪找借口。
• 承认自己的过失，并寻求神的帮助以求改变。
• 省察自己的行为是否反映了基督的公义。

关键教训：神的儿女被呼召要过公义的生活，因为他们属于一位公义的天父。

(3) 我们的责任：彼此相爱（第11–18节）

约翰再次强调了基督教的核心诫命：彼此相爱。他将因嫉妒而杀害兄弟的该隐，与为我们舍命的耶稣基督进行了对比。基督是真爱的最高典范。因此，基督徒的爱必须超越言语和情感，应当通过实际的关怀和牺牲性的服侍来体现。

约翰谴责那些拥有物质资源却拒绝帮助有需要的弟兄姊妹的信徒。这种冷漠与神的爱背道而驰。真正的基督徒之爱不仅体现在我们所说的话上，更体现在我们愿意为他人所做的事上。

应用：

• 寻找切实可行的方法来帮助有需要的人。
• 摒弃嫉妒、仇恨和自私。
• 通过慷慨、仁慈和服务来彰显爱。

关键教训：神的儿女通过切实关怀他人，来反映天父的爱。

(4) 我们的特权与确据：在神面前的信心（19–24节）

约翰解释说，真正的爱使我们在神面前心中有确据。即使我们的心定我们的罪，神比我们的心更大，祂知道一切。这提醒我们，我们的确据并不单单建立在情感之上。神深知我们的真实状况，我们可以通过信靠耶稣基督亲近祂。

约翰还鼓励信徒遵守神的诫命，信靠祂儿子的名——耶稣基督，并彼此相爱。遵守祂诫命的人就住在祂里面，祂也住在他们里面。神赐给我们的圣灵，证实了祂在我们生命中的同在。

应用：

• 当产生怀疑时，要仰望神的真理，而不是单单依靠自己的感觉。
• 怀着诚挚的心，通过耶稣基督亲近神。
• 信靠圣灵，祂必帮助你在顺服与爱中成长。

关键教训：当我们信靠基督，并活出源于信心的顺服时，我们在神面前的信心便会日益增长。

结论：活出神儿女的生命

《约翰一书》第三章揭示了作为神家一员所享有的特权与应尽的责任。

我们的特权：

• 我们蒙爱，并被称为神的儿女。
• 我们怀有盼望，期待基督再来时能像祂一样。
• 我们可以借着耶稣基督满有信心地亲近神。

我们的责任：

• 追求公义，远离罪恶。
• 通过实际行动彼此相爱。
• 遵守神的诫命，常在基督里面。

我们必须记住，这些责任并非为了换取我们在神家中的地位，而是祂改变生命的恩典所结的果子。关键不在于我们是否自称是神的儿女，而在于我们的生活是否日益彰显天父的品格。愿我们每天都怀着感恩的心，珍惜作为神儿女的特权，并忠实地履行我们的责任。

祷告

天父，感谢祢以大爱通过耶稣基督呼召我们成为祢的儿女。求祢帮助我们活出这份奇妙的恩典。求祢赐给我们力量，使我们远离罪恶，追求公义，并通过实际的善行与牺牲来爱他人。当我们的良心责备我们时，求祢提醒我们祢的真理，并帮助我们信靠基督。愿我们在等候救主再来之际，我们的生命能反映出祢的品格。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。