Verses Used:

• 1 John 5:1-5
• 1 John 5:11-13
• Matthew 7:13-14
• John 1:12
• Matthew 11:28-30
• Isaiah 64:6

Takeaways:

Become a Child of God

• John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
• Adoption is not earned - it’s received.
• You have a choice too, if you want adoption into the family of God. The invitation is to everyone.
• If you want to know that you know that you have eternal life, adoption into the family is essential.

Love and Obey

• John goes on to say that if you want to be sure your faith is real, that it’s not a sham, obedience will be present.
• The way of Jesus is rooted in love. Rooted in relationship.
• Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
• Burdensome Obedience is: Driven by fear, motivated by guilt, focused on appearance, fueled by pride, and devoid of love.
• Loving Obedience changed the weight of obedience. What used to feel like duty becomes delight. It’s the difference between: “have to” vs. “get to”, Law vs. Love, Obligation vs. Overflow.
• If obedience feels heavy, it may be a sign you’re trying to earn what’s already yours.

Know That You Have Eternal Life

• John says, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
• If we are trying to “be” good enough, we will constantly question our salvation.
• Now, you can grieve the Spirit of God by living in disobedience and unbelief. You can quench the Spirit of God, but he is not leaving.
• One of the greatest gifts Jesus gives us is assurance that we are his.

Discussion Questions:    

• Which do you think is more common: burdensome obedience or loving obedience? Why?
• What are some of the blessings/benefits of being adopted into God’s family?
• Why would God want us to be sure of our salvation? Why would that be for our benefit?
• If the gospel is good news, which is better news: assurance of salvation or “wait and see”? Why?

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