Scripture Text: 1 John 3:1-6
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. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:1-2 (ESV)
As a parent of five, I can safely say that I have no idea what my children will be when they grow up. No one knows! Not the parents, not the grandparents, and certainly not the children. What about children of God? John wrote, “What we will be has not yet been made known” (v. 2). The only One who knows our future is God, and He has revealed just enough to excite and encourage us!
Having urged his readers to take confidence in their assurance of salvation in chapter 2, the Apostle John now continued in chapter 3 to explore what it means to be children of God. The transition in today’s reading, appropriately, is an exclamation of praise: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us!” (v. 1).
As God’s children, we’re destined to become like His Son, Jesus Christ (v. 2). The goal of following and imitating the Lord Jesus is not just a dream but a certainty. The world doesn’t understand the journey we’re on, and even we ourselves don’t know exactly how things will turn out. Yet, in another sense, we do know: “We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” John was probably thinking here first of the time he saw Christ’s glory revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration and as He appeared to His disciples after His resurrection.
In response to this truth, we’re to purify ourselves, meaning we’re to live a life of obedience and love (vv. 3–6). “No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning” habitually, though we know we will sin and need forgiveness on occasion. This dimension of salvation is called sanctification—the process of making us like Christ. We should therefore treat sin and holiness seriously, but not anxiously. Our perseverance is guaranteed by our new life in Christ!
Reflect
1. Have you carefully checked yourself as to where your hope stands?
2. Do you take sin and holiness seriously?
3. Does it comfort you so much knowing that your present and future is certain in Christ?
4. How do you see yourself respond to this truth?
Remember
My dear readers, you must consider the difference between worldly hope and heavenly hope. The first amounts to wishful thinking. The second, though, is marked by certainty.
As we see and focus our eyes to our Lord Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith – the giver and source of our blessed hope, we must not fail to see that the we live in the present in that hope and our future in Him is much secure for He and the Father holds us in their mighty hand.
Read
Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 17:1–9; Luke 24:36-40; John 20:19–23; John 10:28-29
Pray
Holy Father, our hope in You is a certainty. No matter the suffering we endure, the sin we commit, or the doubts we have, Your grace is sufficient and Your forgiveness final. Sanctify us to live lives characterized by obedience and love. Instill in my heart the fear of You that I may gain Your wisdom and live the life that is pleasing to You. This I ask in Your Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus' name. Amen.
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