29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God![a] Therefore the world does not know us,[b] because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
-- 1 John 2:29 - 3:3 (NKJV)
“Practicing Righteousness” most practically means living in right relationship with God. We are righteous by faith, then we live righteously. How does being righteous (not self-righteous) show that we are born of Heaven?
(2:29) If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
Righteousness is not being right, but being right with God. Righteousness with God is what God says is purity and virtue in our lives. Righteousness with God is God's sense of Justice (grace) not our independent stance outside of Him. No matter how moral we are, our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:4), but our stand in faith through Christ makes us just and justifies us even when we need correction.
Righteousness (Greek "dikaiosune") - Thayer Definition:
- in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
- the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
- integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
- in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due
We need to stop and “behold” the magnitude of God's love for us that righteousness with God allows us to be God's family. Why did God make us His family in Jesus? Why can't the world relate to that?
(3:1a) Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
The word “called” in the Greek means to say it out loud with the idea of inviting or summoning. As children, our parents would call us by name... it is same idea. Further the same word is used of calling us in Christ (including spiritual gifts and offices). Our FIRST and PRIMARY “call” is to be named a son of God.
(3:1b)Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
If the world is not related to God by blood (THE blood of Jesus), then it is not related to us. As we were lost, so others are lost and without God in this world. No wonder we don't fit.
The righteousness given us by faith in Christ has made us children of God NOW. Why is it that God hasn't revealed to us what we shall be? If we don't know, then how shall we be like Christ? What does Christ look like right now?
(3:2) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
When Jesus returns, we will look like He does... glorified and perfect, immortal and godlike (not big “G”, but in His image). Righteousness by faith in Christ causes you to expect God to deliver on the promises of His Word. What does that holy expectation cause you to expect from yourself? Since you have the hope of glory, Christ in you, how does this shape your life?
(3:3) And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Hope – (Greek “elpis”) to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence
We are to purify ourselves before God (make clean and restore innocence) in the light of the motivation caused by being right with God.
When we expect something to come, we make room for it, adjust our lives to it, and remove the things that will get in the way of it.
Practicing righteousness ultimately means that our words and actions not only measure up to a moral standard given by the Lord, but that
our lives demonstrate in a practical way our prophetic anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ.
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Reply #1 on : Sun November 09, 2008, 17:36:29