Summary of my sermon, based on 1 John 2:27-3:10. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on February 19, 2023.
Movies have a way of capturing our imagination and sometimes even offering valuable lessons. One film that left a lasting impression on me was “Midway.” It depicted the historic Battle of Midway, which took place from June 3 to 6, 1942, during World War II. The battle marked a turning point as Japan suffered a significant defeat, losing four aircraft carriers and numerous skilled pilots. Some argue that this defeat sealed Japan’s fate, leading to their ultimate surrender on September 2, 1945. But why is this history lesson relevant to us today? Well, in our passage from the Bible, the Apostle John revisits the moral test, one of the three tests he previously discussed: the Moral Test, the Social Test, and the Belief Test. By exploring the concept of the “Already but Not Yet,” John helps us understand the tension surrounding sin and its implications for our lives.
Already but Not Yet
The Battle of Midway serves as a powerful illustration of the “Already but Not Yet” concept in Christian theology. Although the United States effectively won the war in the Pacific, the Japanese didn’t surrender immediately. They had to continue fighting until their eventual defeat. Similarly, Jesus’ death and resurrection marked His victory over sin, as Ephesians 1:7-10 beautifully articulates. We are set free from sin and death through Christ’s sacrifice, but it doesn’t mean we are instantly made perfect and sinless. We live in the tension of the “Already” and the “Not yet.”
Prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming
In 1 John 2:28–3:3, John emphasizes the importance of purity and righteousness to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ second coming. When He appears again, we will face either shame or confidence. Psalm 14:1-3 reminds us that those who operate as if there is no God, practicing unrighteousness, will face condemnation. However, through the Gospel, we are made pure. Romans 3:23–25 assures us that we are justified by God’s grace through the redemption found in Christ Jesus. Our hope in Jesus leads us to purify ourselves as He is pure (1 John 3:3).
We Become Children of God
John also highlights that practicing righteousness is the consequence of being God’s children. In 1 John 2:29–3:1, he reminds us that we have been called children of God. As His children, we have received the Spirit of adoption, crying out to Him as our loving Father (Romans 8:15–17). Although we are God’s children now, what we will become has not yet appeared. Our hope lies in the future, when Jesus returns, and we will be transformed to be like Him (1 John 3:2). This assurance motivates us to practice righteousness, forsaking sin and living in accordance with God’s commands.
The Practice of Sinning and Righteousness: 1 John 3:4–10 draws a clear distinction between those who practice sinning and those who practice righteousness. The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil, and those born of God cannot keep on sinning because they have been transformed by His grace. Hebrews 2:14–15 affirms that Jesus’ death defeated the power of death and delivered us from lifelong slavery to sin. Galatians 5:19–21 outlines the works of the flesh, warning us that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Conversely, Galatians 5:22–24 describes the fruit of the Spirit, which characterizes those who belong to Christ Jesus. As we walk in the Spirit, we crucify the desires of the flesh and exhibit the righteousness that comes from God.
Although we continue to wrestle with sin in our lives, we can take comfort in the hope of the Gospel. Philippians 2:12–13 encourages us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in us. We are being sanctified and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our whole being—spirit, soul, and body—can be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24). We can trust in God’s faithfulness as He completes the work He began in us.
Righteousness is the Consequence of Being God’s Children
Living in the tension of the “Already but Not Yet” requires us to embrace the reality of our salvation while actively pursuing righteousness. The Battle of Midway serves as a reminder that victory doesn’t always mean an immediate end to the struggle. Likewise, Jesus’ victory over sin and death doesn’t eradicate sin’s presence in our lives. However, through faith in Him, we are made pure and have the assurance of our future transformation. As God’s children, we are called to practice righteousness, forsaking sin and walking in the Spirit. May we find encouragement in the hope of the Gospel as we navigate the tension of the “Already but Not Yet” in our journey of faith.
Excel Still More 