1 John 3:1-3

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.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

The love of God is unconditional and sacrificial.  Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is the object of this amazing love.  We did nothing to earn it.  In fact, we deserved just the opposite of it.  God’s grace has blessed us with this amazing love that He has lavished on us.  This love results in at least these four realities.

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD: There is no other explanation as to why or how we could be children of God, other than the love of God.  Through the work of Christ on our behalf we have been adopted into the family of God and are blessed beyond measure because of the inheritance His grace allows us to receive.  To be a son or daughter of God is a reality we can’t fully fathom but it should fill our hearts with joy and praise.

WE ARE STRANGERS TO THE WORLD: Though we belong to the Lord and our eternity will be with Him; we are still living in the world.  This world that has been invaded and infested by sin does not know God or even care to know Him.  The world questions the very existence of God, His goodness, and His involvement in the affairs of men.  The world strives to elevate itself to the status of god.  Since we are children of God, the world does not know or care for us.  That means we can expect to face persecution and hardship.  This should not surprise of discourage us. 

WE ARE DESTINED FOR GODLINESS: Our hope is not confined to the fallen world in which we currently reside.  Our hope is for the eternal future that has been promised to us.  We may not be able to see it now, but that is what faith is all about.  The promise of the Gospel is that we will be conformed to the image of Christ.  This will occur when we see Him as He is.  Our current revelation of God is primarily through His Word.  It is an astounding and supernaturally inspired revelation from God.  However, it is not the same as being with Him, seeing Him, and becoming like Him.  Our conformity to Christ will always be propionate to the reality of our knowledge of Him.  Any knowledge about Christ that does not promote godliness is not true knowledge.  The more we truly know Him, the more we will be like Him.

WE ARE CALLED TO PURITY: The fact that we are God’s children, strangers in this world and destined for godliness should have an immediate impact on our lives right now.  We should be highly motivated to live in purity.  True faith and hope in the Gospel will motivate living in purity just as Christ did.  This is our calling and assurance for the future so it should motivate true change in the present.  If it does not do so, something is desperately wrong.  His love should motivate us to respond by loving Him.

APPLICATION: Be thankful for the fact that we are children of God.  Don’t expect for affirmation from the world; strive to reach the world with the Gospel.  Grow in our knowledge of God so we can become more like Him.  Have hope and assurance that our lives are in God’s hands and we have an amazing eternity in store.  Walk in light of His purity today because of His love for us.

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