1 John 3.1
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
The love that God has given to us is unique; there is nothing else like it in the universe. John expresses his wonder at this, using an unusual word to express the utterly extraordinary nature of God’s love. The Greek word potapen means “of what country” and thus implies that God’s love is so unusual, so unearthly, so unique to our experience, that it seems “out of this world.”
As Romans 5:10 says, “For while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” That kind of love is not what you find in this world.
The result of God’s incredible love toward us is equally unique: we are called God’s children. Scripture says the Lord makes us his children through the new birth, and he also makes us his children through adoption.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Galatians 4.4-7)
The world does not understand this incredible relationship, because it does not understand God. Only a person who knows God through Christ can fully appreciate what it means to be called a child of God. And since we have experienced the love of the Father, we have no desire to live in sin.
An unbeliever who sins is a creature sinning against his Creator. A Christian who sins is a child sinning against his Father. The unbeliever sins against law; the believer sins against love.
This reminds us of what scripture means when it says “the fear of the Lord.” It does not suggest that God’s children live in an atmosphere of terror. Rather, it indicates that God’s children hold their Father in deepest respect and reverence and will not deliberately disobey him. 2 Timothy 1.7 says, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear.”
The relationship between loving God and obeying God is a constant theme in scripture. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14.15). Love in the kingdom of God is not a soft, sentimental feeling. It is a powerful force that is inextricably connected to God’s character. Love in the kingdom of God is what motivates and empowers people to rightness.
Many things in the world look loving (as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:3), but they are not real love unless they are done out of love for God and guided by his commandments.
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” (1 John 5.1-3)
