< Back

Read: 1 John 3.1-10
Listen: 1 John 3

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1

John teaches the believers in and around Ephesus core truths about who they are in Jesus. One foundational truth he emphasizes is that something important marks their identity. These young believers are struggling to understand that they are God’s children. They have put their faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. Now, John reminds them, they can live confidently because they’ve been adopted into God’s family. In a city like Ephesus, where child abandonment was practiced, these believers may not have known their biological parents. John writes that what is most true about them is not who abandoned them, but that God has adopted them. They are his beloved sons and daughters.

Our relationship with our parents affects us deeply. Family relationships form a significant part of our identity. In much the same way, God wants our relationship with him as his adopted children to be the most significant part of our identity. When we let this new identity change our lives, we will find joy, purpose and healing. This week, we will look closely at our identity in Jesus, who we will be in the future and how we can live out our identity today.

TODAY: If God has already brought you into his family, thank him that your true identity is found in him. If you have yet to place your faith and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sin, open your heart and life to him and the grace and mercy found only in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Begin your journey with Jesus and the life he offers today. If you have questions about faith in Jesus, email us at btw@adabible.org. We would love to talk with you.