1Jo 3:1 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.

1Jo 3:2 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.

1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Divine love is of such a nature and depth that it makes humans into children of God. Because of God's love for us, He was not willing that we should remain alienated from Him through sin, but He sent Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to redeem us. Through the acceptance of Christ we become the children of God, born of His spirit and bearing His name, receiving His holiness and sharing His life.

Son ship to God is not an accidental circumstance but the result of His love and design for us. Because He was not willing that any should perish (2Peter 3:9), God brought us into this relationship. Paul says, "God was rich in mercy for His great love wherewith He loved us....and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-6)

Because the world could not understand the love of God, it cannot understand those who follow God. Jesus said of His followers, " The world hath hated them, because they were not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John 17:14).

1Jo 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

1Jo 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1Jo 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

John wanted his readers to know it is possible for the believers to sin under pressure of the enemy, and for such a one there is an advocate in Jesus Christ, the righteous, (1Jo 2:1). However, it is not possible for a genuine born-again believer to habitually practice sin (3:6).

John shows that committing sin is the same as disregarding the law of God. (3:4). Lawlessness, in both the English and the Greek, means not the absence of law but the disregard of it. It is not just that sin manifests itself in ignoring God's law, but that sin is, in its very nature, lawless.

The focus in verse 5 is not the way in which Christ took away our sins. It is focused on how His becoming incarnate in order to take aways sins is incompatible with the divine relationship of being children of God.

1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

John issues a warning here in verse 7 to his "little children." The danger if the situation is shown by the tenderness of the address John used. The warning, "Let no man deceive you," appears to be directed against false teachers in the church. The false teachers were seeking to lead believers astray not only theologically but morally as well. Therefore, he warned Christians, (then and now), to be on guard.

John asks his readers to apply the standard of truth by which they would be able to detect deception. Here's how, "he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. " (3:7). It is he who habitually does righteousness, not he who simply does a righteous act. The doing of righteousness reveals the character but does not create it. However, the person who is righteous is recognized by their own actions.

1Jo 3:8 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.

"He that committeth sin is of the devil," (3:8), links sin not with the law of God, which it breaks, but with the devil in whom sin originates. the devil's sinful action is continuous and present- he "sinneth from the beginning" The devil is the source of the evil that rules the person who is a habitual doer of sin.