Living in Light, Love, and Truth: Living as God’s Children

Text: 1 John 2:28–3:10

Have you noticed how much harder it’s become to feel truly connected?

In her book Adam and Eve After the Pill, Revisited, Mary Eberstadt describes how the breakdown of family life has changed our world. Children today are far less likely to grow up surrounded by siblings, cousins, aunts, or uncles. Nearly 30 percent of all households now consist of just one person, and around 40 percent of children grow up without their biological father in the home. The result, she says, is heartbreaking.

When family ties weaken, people grow isolated. They lose the sense of belonging that once came from being part of a web of relationships. There are fewer role models, fewer people to share life’s joys or griefs with, fewer opportunities to learn love, forgiveness, and commitment. And the consequences ripple outward—loneliness, anger, anxiety, and brokenness.

Eberstadt observes, “A world of fewer and weaker family ties is one in which deprived people are furious about things they do not have or no longer know.” In other words, when we lose connection to family, we lose part of what makes us whole.

That insight echoes what John teaches in 1 John 2:28–3:10. When we abide in Jesus—stay connected to Him—our lives begin to reflect His likeness. But when we drift away, our lives begin to resemble the world instead of the family of God.

The Wonder of God’s Love

John begins with amazement:

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.” (1 John 3:1)

That’s not something we earned—it’s something we’ve been given. The world doesn’t understand this identity because it doesn’t know Him. But we do, and that changes everything. We are no longer defined by our past, our failures, or the labels the world puts on us. We are defined by the love of our Father.

And that love gives us hope. John says that when Christ appears, “we shall be like Him.” That future hope shapes our present life: those who belong to Jesus seek to live like Jesus.

Don’t let the world define who you are. When doubt or temptation whisper, remind yourself: I am a child of God. Then arrange your life to live like it—with hope and holiness.

Rejecting Sin and Reflecting the Father

John moves from identity to behavior:

“No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning.” (1 John 3:6)

He’s not saying we’ll never sin; he’s saying that those who remain in Christ don’t make peace with it. They don’t justify it or ignore it. They confess it, and through Jesus, they find forgiveness and freedom.

The difference isn’t perfection—it’s direction. True children of God are moving toward holiness, not away from it.

John makes this point clear: “The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.” (3:7) The family resemblance is seen in our conduct. If God’s seed—His Spirit—lives in us, then His righteousness will take root and grow.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just change our beliefs—He changes our behavior.

The Family Trait of Love

Finally, John gives the clearest mark of identity:

“Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother or sister.” (3:10)

Love is the defining trait of God’s family. It’s how the world knows who we belong to (John 13:35). We can’t claim to be children of the God who is love and live in hatred, apathy, or division.

To live as God’s child is to reflect His love in tangible ways—especially toward His other children. Love isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Living Like Who You Are

So how do we live this out?

1. Remember who you are. When you’re tempted or discouraged, remind yourself: I am a child of God. Your confidence doesn’t come from performance but from your position in Christ.
2. Purify your life through hope. Those who hope in Jesus don’t drift—they draw closer. Let the reality of His return shape your choices today.
3. Let righteousness rule your actions. Right living isn’t legalism—it’s loyalty. Every act of obedience shows your allegiance to your Father.
4. Love your brothers and sisters well. Don’t just attend church—belong to the family. Forgive quickly, serve freely, and love deeply.

Becoming Like the Father

John moves from discernment to identity, from standing against deception to living faithfully as God’s children. We have confidence at Christ’s coming when we abide in Him, reflect His righteousness, reject sin’s power, and reveal His love.

When we remain with Jesus, we don’t just stand firm—we grow strong. We begin to look like our Father, love like our Savior, and live by the Spirit’s power. And one day, when Christ appears, we’ll stand before Him confident, radiant, and finally home in the family of God.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Our God – The Giver of All Good Things

Have you ever stopped to think about where the good things in your life come from? Those laughs you share with a friend, the delicious taste of a home cooked meal, the beauty of a sunrise over a lake—James reminds us in his letter that these aren’t random strokes of luck. They are gifts from a generous God.

In James 1:17–19 we read:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (CSB)

This passage is short, but it provides a wonderful image of who God is: our Giving God, our Great God, and our Gracious God. Let’s reflect on each of these truths.

Our Giving God

James begins with the reminder that every good and perfect gift comes from above. Take a moment and ponder this: the blessings in your life, large and small, all flow from the hand of God. The food on your table, the people you love, the very breath in your lungs—all gifts from your Heavenly Father.

James wrote to believers who were facing hardship and persecution. It would have been easy for them to lose sight of God’s generosity and goodness in the middle of suffering. Yet James insists that God’s giving nature doesn’t depend on circumstances. Whether life feels like a mountaintop or a valley, God is still giving.

That’s a good reminder for us, too. Gratitude grounds us in God’s goodness, and trusting in His generosity frees us from the grip of worry. Take a moment this week to pause, write down five specific blessings you’ve received, and thank God for them.

Our Great God

James goes on to describe God as the Father of lights, the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars. But unlike the shifting patterns of the heavens, God does not change. “There is no variation or shadow of turning with Him.”

We live in a world where almost everything changes—jobs, health, relationships, even the seasons of life. But God’s character doesn’t waver. His promises don’t expire. His love doesn’t fade.

Think about a lighthouse standing firm on a rocky coast. Winds howl, waves crash, storms rage, but the light remains steady. That’s who God is—our steady light when everything else is uncertain.

The invitation here is to anchor ourselves in that unchanging greatness. When fear and doubt creep in, we can remind ourselves: God is faithful yesterday, today, and forever.

Our Gracious God

Finally, James points us to the greatest gift: new life in King Jesus. James says God “gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

Salvation is not something we earn—it’s a gift of grace. God chose us, adopted us into His family, and gave us a new identity in Christ. Think of a child welcomed into a loving family by adoption—not because they earned it, but because they were chosen and loved. That’s what God has done for us.

And this grace reshapes how we live. James follows up with a practical word: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” In other words, let God’s grace show through in your relationships.

Living as Firstfruits

So, who is our God?

• Our Giving God—pouring out blessings in every season.

• Our Great God—unchanging, faithful, and steady.

• Our Gracious God—bringing us new life through His Son.

The call for us is simple but profound: gratitude, trust, and grace-filled living. Take time this week to reflect on God’s gifts. This discipline will anchor your hope in God’s unchanging nature, and, over time, His grace will transform your heart changing the way you treat others.

Because every good and perfect gift really does come from above.

A Reminder for Me

As I ponder these verses, I realize how easy it is for me to take God’s gifts for granted. I rush through my days, often more focused on what I lack than on what I’ve been given. But when I pause, I see God at work—in the love of Jenny, in the smile and laughs of my kids, in the steady truth of Scripture, in the quiet assurance that He hasn’t changed even when everything else has. 

My prayer is that I don’t just recognize His generosity, greatness, and grace, but that I live out of His blessings with gratitude and trust, for He is the Good Shepherd and in Him I find my refuge.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

The Justice and Comfort of God: The Majesty of a Jealous God

Some of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met have also carried the deepest scars.

They are people whose lives have been marked by grief, trauma, or hardship—yet somehow, they radiate a gentleness, strength, and hope that can’t be faked. They remind me of people like William Cowper, the hymn writer who battled deep depression but penned timeless words of faith. Or Vincent van Gogh, who lived with mental anguish yet painted with unmatched vision. Or Charles Spurgeon, who preached through the haze of despair. Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Winston Churchill—leaders who carried the heavy burden of their nation’s suffering. Then there’s Joni Eareckson Tada, who became paralyzed in a diving accident but found profound purpose in her pain. And John Perkins, who endured beatings and threats as a civil rights leader and still proclaimed reconciliation.

What do these people have in common?

They were shaped, not in spite of their suffering, but through it.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths… Beautiful people do not just happen.”
— Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

This idea is more than inspiring—it’s deeply biblical.

It’s especially visible in the Old Testament book of Nahum, one of the lesser-known prophets. Though short—just three chapters—Nahum gives us a profound and uncomfortable vision of God’s character. In Nahum 1:1–8, we see two divine attributes held together in tension: justice and mercy. He is the righteous Judge who will not let evil go unpunished, and at the same time, He is a refuge for the weary and the faithful.

When You Ask, "How Long, Lord?"

If you’ve ever looked around at the world and asked, “How long, Lord? How long will evil go unchecked? How long will oppression continue?”—then Nahum has something to say to you.

Nahum begins his prophecy with a vision. Not a gut feeling or a political hot take—but a divinely inspired word from God concerning Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. This wasn’t the first time Nineveh appeared in Scripture. A hundred years earlier, Jonah preached there, and the people repented. But by Nahum’s time, their repentance had faded, and their cruelty returned. Assyria was once again known for its brutality and injustice.

Nahum’s message, likely delivered around 650 B.C., came at a time when Judah was weak, Assyria was strong, and hope felt distant. Yet God spoke. He saw what was happening. And He promised that justice was coming.

That’s the first reminder we need: God sees everything—ancient and modern. No act of injustice goes unnoticed. Every nation and every person is accountable to Him.

The God Who Is Jealous, Just, and Powerful

Nahum doesn’t begin with what God does, but with who God is. He writes:

“The LORD is a jealous and avenging God… The LORD is slow to anger but great in power.” (Nahum 1:2–3)

That word “jealous” may rub us the wrong way, but it’s not describing petty envy. It’s the holy jealousy of a faithful spouse—an unyielding commitment to exclusive relationship. God wants His people to be loyal to Him, and He fiercely defends them when they’re threatened. His vengeance is not impulsive rage but righteous justice against real evil.

And yet, God is also patient. He gave Nineveh a century to turn back. His slowness to anger is mercy—but mercy has limits. When it’s time to act, He will.

Nahum uses poetic, awe-inspiring imagery to make his point: rivers dry up, mountains quake, the very earth trembles in God’s presence. The message is clear: no empire is too powerful, no injustice too entrenched, no enemy too great for God.

“Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His fierce anger?” (Nahum 1:6)

The answer? No one.

The God Who Is Good, Even in Trouble

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

This is the kind of verse that shows up on coffee mugs—and it should! But don’t forget: this word of comfort comes right in the middle of a storm of judgment.

God’s goodness doesn’t mean He always spares us from trouble. It means we can trust Him in the trouble. Like a hidden cave in a thunderstorm, He is a refuge when life gets overwhelming. His care is not based on our performance but on His covenant love. He remains faithful, even when the world falls apart.

And yet, verse 8 brings us back to the other side of the coin:

“With an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh.” (Nahum 1:8)

Just as Assyria once overwhelmed other nations, now they will be overwhelmed. God's judgment is always just—He gives time for repentance, but when mercy is rejected, He acts with righteous precision.

So What Do We Do With This?

Nahum 1:1–8 isn’t just about Nineveh. It’s about us. Here are three takeaways for today:

1. Trust in God’s Justice

We live in a world full of injustice—from playground bullying to international war, from daily corruption to systemic evil. It can be tempting to lose heart or take matters into our own hands. But Nahum reminds us: God sees, and God will act. His justice may not follow our timeline, but it will never fail.

2. Find Your Refuge in God

When life falls apart—when the diagnosis comes, when the marriage breaks, when the finances collapse—run to the refuge. God may not shield you from the storm, but He will walk through it with you. He is good. He cares for those who trust in Him.

3. Examine Your Heart

It’s easy to cheer for Nineveh’s downfall and forget that we, too, can be unfaithful. Nahum’s message comforts the oppressed but also warns the comfortable. Are we living in allegiance to King Jesus? Or are we pursuing our own way?

God of Justice, God of Mercy

Nahum gives us a clear and powerful vision of who God is:

• A righteous Judge who will not let sin go unpunished.
• A loving Refuge who cares for His people.
• A sovereign King who rules over all creation.

Because of the cross and the empty tomb, we know that Jesus embodies both justice and mercy. He took our judgment upon Himself, and now offers Himself as our eternal refuge. One day He will return to make all things right. Until then, we live in the tension—with trust, hope, and worship.

Let’s worship Him for who He is—the God who brings justice to the wicked and comfort to the faithful.

Let’s run to the refuge.

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If this reflection encouraged you, share it or leave a comment below. And remember: in a world full of brokenness, Jesus is still King.

Sunday Prayer: Knowing God Through Love

1 John 4:7–8 (CSB)

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Prayer:

Father of Love,

You have revealed Yourself to us through the gift of love—most clearly in the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son. Teach us to love as You love: not with words only, but with action, sacrifice, and grace.

Soften our hearts toward one another. Let the way we speak, serve, forgive, and show kindness bear witness to the truth that we know You. When we are tempted to hold grudges or withhold compassion, remind us that to truly know You is to walk in love.

Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have failed to love. Rekindle in us the desire to reflect Your heart in a world marked by division and pain. May Your Spirit shape us into a people who love without condition—because You are love, and we are Yours.

In the name of Jesus, who loved us first,

Amen.

Do You Believe God Is a Good Father?

It’s easy to answer “yes” when someone asks if you believe God is a good Father. It’s the “right” answer, after all. 

But if I’m honest, my life often tells a different story. 

Too often, I it feels like God is opposed to my desires—as if He is detached or uninterested in my well-being.

John Eldredge wrote in The Way of the Wild Heart:

“You are the son of a kind, strong, and engaged Father, a Father wise enough to guide you in the Way, generous enough to provide for your journey, offering to walk with you every step.

This is perhaps the hardest thing for us to believe—really believe, down deep in our hearts, so that it changes us forever, changes the way we approach each day.”

Eldredge’s words remind me of a truth that I forget: God is my Heavenly Father. 

I have no problem with seeing God as Creator or King, but I often struggle to see Him as Father. I think this is why it is hard for me to trust that God has my best interests at heart. 

What ends up happening, since I don’t trust God to do what is right,  is I slip into believing that I have to make life work on my own—that my happiness depends entirely on me. This reality ultimately leads to a life of disappointment because I don’t have what it takes to create a life that I truly want to live.

So how do we trust God to do the right thing? How can we learn to see Him as the loving Father He truly is?

Two Ways to Deepen Our Trust in God as Father

1. Memorize Scripture About God as Our Father

The Bible repeatedly describes God as our Father, and it’s no coincidence that Jesus often used this imagery when he talked about God. Jesus knew how difficult it would be for us to grasp the concept of God as a loving and engaged father.

One passage that speaks to this is Luke 11:11-13:

“What father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The only way I know to get this truth into our hearts is to turn to Scripture and meditate on these passages that emphasize God’s goodness. The more we meditate on these verses the more likely they will be implanted into our hearts.

2. Reflect on the Blessings in Your Life

It’s easy to take God’s blessings for granted, to believe that God owes me the good things of life. What happens, when things don’t go the way I want, leads me to question His goodness—and even His presence in my life.

I believe taking time to “count our blessings” can reframe our perspective. It has worked on in my life. Simply taking time to write down 3 or 4 blessings each day has changed my perspective on life. When we reflect on how God has worked in our lives, we’re reminded of His faithfulness.

It is also important to remember that God’s greatest blessings aren’t tied to this life. When we can see the ways He has blessed our lives now, this gives us confidence that He will bless us in the future. God’s ultimate plan is for eternity, and He uses our current experiences to prepare us for the joys of heaven. Sometimes, this preparation means letting go of our own dreams to embrace His purpose for our lives.

Trusting God as Our Heavenly Father

Learning to trust God as our Father isn’t easy, but it’s essential to truly follow Jesus. If we can’t trust God, who can we trust?

God is kind, strong, and engaged. He is guiding us, providing for us, and walking with us every step of the way. I pray that we open our hearts to believe this truth—not just intellectually, but deeply and fully in our hearts, so that it changes the way we live.

Take a moment today to reflect on God’s love and goodness. He is a good Father—and He desires what is best for you.

The Choices That Define Us—and the One That Redeems Us

Ever catch yourself replaying a moment you’d give anything to redo? 

I do it all the time. 

Things like: the sharp response you gave to your kids, the chance to talk about Jesus to a co-worker that you let slip away, the choice to walk away from faith and live a party lifestyle for a few years, or the chance to do something special that you let get away.

I think, to one degree or another, all of us have those mental reruns. But here’s the question I would like you to consider: what if our past blunders don’t get the final say over our future?

Every day, we’re creating who we’re becoming by the choices we make—big, small, impulsive, or deliberate. These choices ripple out, shaping not just us, but also our little corner of the world.  So what happens when we mess up? When we cave to temptation, chase selfish desires, or stumble into sin? Are we stuck with the fallout forever? 

The answer is a big NO! 

The story doesn’t end with our failures—because God has a part to play in our lives as well.

I think Erwin McManus nails it in Uprising: 

The future is the sum total of all the choices that are made in the present and the past. Fortunately, that sum total includes the choices made by God. (p. 237)

Think about that idea for a moment. God isn’t some cosmic spectator, arms crossed, watching us struggle. He’s in it with us, steering things in ways we might not even notice. Our wrong turns? They don’t faze Him. His choices can rewrite our trajectory when we’ve lost the way.

Romans 8:5-8 (CSB) lays it out clearly: 

For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

There is no doubt that when left to our own devices, we’re a mess. 

We can’t muscle our way into the life God has for us on sheer willpower. And that is okay!  

God doesn’t leave us in the chaos we created. He hands us His Spirit, His Word, His grace—everything we need to choose life over death.

And if you want proof of God’s wild commitment, Romans 5:6-11 (CSB) points us to the evidence: 

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

That’s not us earning our salvation. That’s God saying, “I’m all in—whether you’ve got it together or not.” He chose to rescue us, not because we’re impressive, but because He is love in action. 

The life and death of Jesus is the evidence we need to know that God is committed to us.

True, we can’t rewind the tape on yesterday’s mistakes. But we can choose to trust the choices God has already made for us. 

When we surrender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, something changes. We’re not just fumbling through life on our own strength anymore—we’re being shaped by a God who has the power to redeem us, no matter who we are or what we have done. Our story isn’t a highlight reel of our screw-ups. It’s an amazing collaboration between our choices and His—a God who loves, restores, and refuses to let go.

What’s one choice you’re facing today? And what might it look like to let God’s voice weigh in?