1 John 3:1-3 (ESV)

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 reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears[a] we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

When God justified us in Christ, he cleansed us from our sins.  And when he adopted us in Christ, he set the parameters by which we are to interact with him.  Paul says in Galatians 4:7 that we are no longer slaves, but sons and John calls us to Behold and see how great is the love of God, that we should be called his children. 

If God only bestowed upon us the legal standing of justified, we would still be grateful and ecstatic.  No longer destined for eternal punishment, we would be his servants forever worshipping him.  We would say along with the Psalmist, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10). 
Yet, the Lord has changed our status to that of children and all the rights and privileges of belonging to him and to the covenant family of God.

1. How do you relate to God? Do you see yourself as a child of God?
   
2. What are some privileges of being a child of God?
   

Galatians 4:1-7 (ESV)

1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,[a] though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles[b] of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

The doctrine of adoption is central to our understanding of prayer.  We do not approach God as someone to be feared.  We do not wait to see if God will allow us to enter his throne room to speak with him.  Rather, we pray to the Lord as our Father in heaven.  We have access to our Father 24/7 and are able to speak to him freely whenever!  This is rooted deep within the work of the Holy Spirit.  We can call out to God, Abba, Father! (Galatians 4:6) because the Spirit has showed us that we are his children.  Approach the throne room boldly and may you commune with your Father in Heaven.

1. How would you describe your prayer life?  Do you pray to God like He is your Father?
   
2. How do other religions pray?  Do they relate to God as a Father?
   

Galatians 4:1-7 & Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)

1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,[a] though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles[b] of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

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16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Another benefit of adoption is our inheritance waiting for us.  We will not be slaves in the new heaven and new earth, but sons and daughters.  What do we inherit?  Everything!  Do you want to Atlanta? It’s yours.  Do you want to enjoy golf forever?  It’s yours!  “So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21).  We will enjoy all these things in Christ forever and ever!  So don’t fret about the things of today.  Don’t envy those who have more worldly possession than you.  You will have it all!

1. What is one thing you look forward to do when Jesus returns?
   
2. How does this help us to hold things
   

Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13 (ESV)

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

“Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness.”  (Westminster Shorter Catechism A. 35)

Many believe that justification is God’s work, but that sanctification is solely theirs.  God saves us, but then we are left with our fragile humanity to live a life of holiness.  On the contrary, sanctification is also a grace given to God’s people. 

When the believer is united with Christ, we are granted the gifted of sanctification.  “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).  The work of sanctification is Christ’s work in us.  

This work of renewal is evidence of our regeneration.  We seek to be like God, because of the Spirit’s work in us.  The God who began a good work in us, will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

1. Can we desire the things of God on our own?
   
2. ​Can we make ourselves or others grow in Christ?  How does this change the way we love people?
   

Romans 6:1-14 (ESV)

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self[a] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free[b] from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

​12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

When we were justified, God ceased to keep records of rights and wrongs.  As God sanctifies us, he does not suddenly pull out your record and begin tallying all the times you fail.  And neither should we.  We should not approach our obedience to God as a slave attempting to curry favor to our master.  Our desire to be holy stems from God’s love for us and our resultant love for him.  We want to be like our God.  We want His kingdom to work through us.  We want to reflect His glory.  So, let us focus on Christ and His infinite love to compel us to love! (2 Corinthians 5:14).

Does your sanctification stem from fear or love? Do you see holiness as a chore or as a good and joyful endeavor?

Romans 6:1-14 (ESV)

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self[a] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free[b] from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

​12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

We all wish that we would want to follow Jesus all the time.  But we know that on this side of heaven, we can’t.  Many of us have used this as an excuse not to obey the Lord.  We say to God, “You have to change my heart before I can show them love.”  However, this way of thinking is misguided.  This is not the gospel.  God did not wait for us to change before he showed us love.  But he loved us in our rebellious state.  Many times, we are called simply to obey.  Buy them coffee.  Have them over for lunch.  Keep engaging them.  We know this can be hard in the beginning.  But as we obey, the Lord often softens our heart to love.  Whether they come to faith is up to the Lord, but we have changed.  We have learned to love with God’s strength and not ours.  Perhaps this is how Jesus was able to love Judas Iscariot so well.  Even though he was to betray him, Jesus served him, included him, and ultimately loved him.  Let us obey the Lord.  He shall surely change our hearts.

1. Does your love come with conditions?  What might they be?
   
2. Can you think of something that you know God wants you to do, but you just don’t want to?  Pray over it well and have wisdom and courage to obey. 
   

Romans 2:1-5 (ESV)

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

You may be familiar with the term “synergy.”   A cooperative endeavor by more than one party to accomplish a goal.  The work of salvation is the contrary.  God alone accomplishes and dispenses salvation to His people.  Last week, we saw that faith was a saving grace.  Our ability to receive and rest upon Christ is a grace given to us.  Repentance is no different.  We cannot repent of our sins unless God has united us to Christ through the Holy Spirit. 

Repentance is not only a gift of grace, but the content of our repentance is also received by God graciously.  God does not require that our words and contrition be perfect!  He knows that’s impossible!  We will always have wrong and unseen motives in our hearts!  But God, by His mercy, receives our contrition because of Jesus’ finished work, because you belong to Him. 

1. Why do we say repentance of gift of grace? 
   
2. Why should we repent when we know our repentance will never be perfect?
   

2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (ESV)

8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

The intersection between eternity and time occurs in creation—more specifically in the hearts of men and women.  We are acutely aware of the passage of time, but also acknowledge our longing for the transcendent, for the beyond.  We are unique creatures, made in the image of God!  Likewise, God’s eternal will of salvation is applied to us in time.  Our election and justification are eternally safeguarded for us in eternity, but the application of these truths is only experienced through the graces of repentance and faith. 

So, it is necessary for us to explore, what is repentance?  In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Paul speaks of a grief that leads to death and a grief that leads to repentance.  What is the worldly grief leads to death?  We can see two stories in the Bible that reflect grief that leads to death.  First, after Cain had killed his brother Abel, God punishes Cain for his actions.  Cain responded, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13).  Cain’s grief was not because of his action of murder, but his grief was for the consequences he was to bear.  Worldly grief is a self-centered grief.  Second, after Judas realized he had wronged Jesus, he returned the silver and then hung himself.  Worldly grief also leads us to carry our guilt and shame on our own shoulders.  World grief leads to death. 

We must be aware that worldly grief is deadly and not a grace that leads to repentance, which leads to life.

1. What is the grief that leads to death?
   
2. Do you think both Cain and Judas could have repented and be restored?
   

2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (ESV)

8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

Our wealth is not measured by the number of cars we possess, nor the size of our bank account, but by our relationships.  When we witness loving relationships that have lasted scores of years—a marriage, family, friends—we would declare them wealthy.  A man surrounded by gold, but devoid of human contact, has no wealth whatsoever, but would be pitied by all of us! 

God’s covenant with us can be concisely described as His promise to relate with us.  In Christ Jesus, He has given us everything that we need to grow and enjoy being His people.  Repentance and Faith as the two saving graces that connects our being to Him.  We experience forgiveness, love, belonging, and peace.   

Godly grief leads to life!  Godly grief leads us to repentance, which leads to God’s forgiveness, which leads to a nearness to God. 

Godly grief can be summarized by the story of David and Bathsheba.  When David sinned against Bathsheba, many people had been lied to and many people had died.  But David understood the root of his wrongdoing was his sin against the Lord.  “Against you, and you alone have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4)!  Godly grief (1) Acknowledges that all sin is an offense against the Lord.  Godly grief (2) Longs for God’s presence, “Take not your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11).  Godly grief (3) Asks God for forgiveness, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” (Psalm 51:17). 

Godly sorrow leads us to the cross of Christ.  We sit at Jesus’ feet to sorrowfully ask for forgiveness.  We long for our relationship with God to be stronger, that his presence would be more evident to us.  And we know that even our imperfect repentance will be received by God—for the imperfections of that repentance have already been forgiven as well. 

1. Why is repentance so essential to a vibrant relationship with God?
   
2. Have you ever struggled with repentance because you thought you were not repentant enough?