What does it mean that we are called the children of God in this passage?

When this passage says we are called the children of God, it means God has shown a deep kind of love by taking sinners and making them part of his family. This is not just a nice title, it is a new identity that God gives through his grace. Because of this, the world often does not understand believers or their way of life, just as it did not truly know Jesus. Being God’s children brings both hope for the future and a call to live in a way that fits this new family.

What does it mean that "when he appears, we shall be like him"?

The words “when he appears, we shall be like him” point to the return of Jesus. Right now, what we will be is not fully seen. But when Jesus comes, believers will see him as he really is and will be changed to be like him. This means sharing in his holiness and glory, free from sin. That future hope is meant to move believers to purify themselves now, turning from sin and seeking to live in a way that reflects Jesus’ purity while they wait for his coming.

Why does the passage say whoever is born of God does not commit sin?

The line that whoever is born of God does not commit sin can sound hard to understand. It does not mean believers never stumble or never sin at all. It is talking about a settled pattern of living in sin. God’s “seed” remains in the one who is born of him, which means God has put new life in them. Because of this new birth, a person cannot go on living in sin as they did before. Their new nature pulls them away from sin and toward righteousness, even though they still fight against weakness.

How does this passage describe the difference between children of God and children of the devil?

This passage says the difference shows up in how people live. Children of God practice righteousness and love their brothers and sisters. Children of the devil live in sin and do not love. Righteous actions do not make someone God’s child, but they show that God’s life is in them. On the other hand, a life that refuses to do what is right and refuses to love shows that a person does not belong to God. The story of Cain killing his brother is given as an example of hatred that comes from evil.

What does the passage teach about hatred and murder in the heart?

The passage says that whoever hates a brother is a murderer, and that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. This shows that God looks beyond outward actions to what is in the heart. Hatred is treated as murder in seed form, because it wishes harm rather than good. If someone claims to know God but holds on to hatred toward fellow believers, this does not match the life of God. True children of God are called to love, not to nurse bitterness or hatred, even when they are hurt.

How does this passage show what real Christian love looks like?

Real Christian love is shown first in Jesus, who laid down his life for us. The passage says this is how we know what love is. Then it applies this to believers: we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. That does not only mean dying for them, but also giving up our comfort and goods to meet real needs. If someone has what this world offers and sees a brother in need, yet shuts off compassion, God’s love is not active in that person. Love is shown in deeds and in truth, not just in words.

What does it mean that God is greater than our heart and knows all things?

When the passage says God is greater than our heart, it is speaking to believers whose hearts sometimes condemn them. Our own conscience can trouble us, either because of past sins or present weakness. This verse reminds us that God knows everything perfectly. He sees both our sins and our new life in Christ. He knows whether faith and love are really there. So when our heart condemns us, we can remember that God’s knowledge and grace are greater, and we can look to him instead of being crushed by our own feelings.

How can this passage help someone find assurance that they belong to God?

This passage says we can know we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. It also speaks of having our hearts assured before God when we live in love and truth. Love for other believers, turning from sin, and a desire to keep God’s commands are signs that God’s life is in us. Our hope is not in our perfection, but in Jesus who came to take away sins and destroy the works of the devil. These fruits in our lives help our hearts rest that we truly belong to God.

What does this passage say is God’s commandment for believers?

Near the end, the passage sums up God’s commandment in two parts: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another. Faith in Jesus and love for others belong together. Believing in Jesus means trusting him as the one who takes away sins and gives new life. Loving one another is the natural outflow of that faith. Those who keep this commandment live in God, and God in them, and they know this by the Spirit he has given.

1John.3.1

1 John 3:1

KJV

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Children of God

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Love One Another

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.