1st John: Chapter 3

Bible Study w/ Abouna Zakaria
Notes Written by Servant Serving in Mexico

Chapter 3-Children to God
Vs.1-2 and the love of God makes us his true children through grace
Christains are the only ones who can call God their father
This is because Jesus became incarnate and is considered our brother therefore by relation we are children of God
Because there are so many people who don’t want to know God, verse 1 will always be true for
us but verse 2 is our hope and joy
during the liturgy the priest turns the body of Christ towards the congregation twice, as if to say God has come once and He is coming again
Verse 3 as children of God our responsibility is to be pure
As christians we should be constantly be purifying ourselves and never stop. We should not platau or think that we have reached our maximum because throught the Holy Spirit we can always become more pure
Vs4-5 our responsibility as children of God is in writing not to do?
Ignoring the voice of God in our lives and continuing to sin makes his voice solfter and after a while sin dosent seem like sin anymore because the voice of God is no longer heard.
For example: when you stain a new white shirt the stain is obvious. However, when you continue to stain the white shirt it becomes harder and harder to tell the original color of the shirt.
In our spiritual lives the more our shirt is stained the more we need to pray for Gods help in removing that sin from our lives.
Vs.6-21
Verse 6 (refer back to chapter 2 verse 1) vs. 6 refers to not wanting to return from sin
Vs.9 we are born with sin but through baptism and chrismation we are reborn with vs.9
We have both voices within us telling us what to do. we should listen to the right voice so it can grow stronger in our lives.
Vs.10 practice righteousness and love your brother
Vs.11-12 no love=murder but love for God=love for others
Vs.13-15 hate=murder but love=life (vs.14)
Example: St. Stephen the first martyr Acts 7:54-60
When priest washes His hands during the liturgy and shows them to the people he is asking if he has wronged anyone to the point where they cant forgive him…if that is the case their blood is on his hands
Vs.16-21
Giving to those in need=love of God
Vs.16-18: how to treat your brother
Vs.19-21 signs of your spiritual status
Vs.22-24Trust in God our Father
1) Believe in Jesus Christ
2) Love one another