Grace to you and peace from God. It has been quite an interesting study going through the book of 1 John, hasn't it? We have been able to see not just the 1st and 2nd chapter but also the 3rd chapter which we are currently studying. God indeed has been faithful and his name alone be praised for giving us such an opportunity to learn from his word. However, we are not to forget that the reason for his word amongst so many is that we can be like him. Praise God.
Yesterday, we saw the privilege that we have been given as believers, isn't it? The fact that God gave because he loved us as captured in John 3:16. Also, from yesterday's study, it became evident that God's love cannot be quantified. It is not measurable. No one really can understand God's love except such a person has experienced it. It is his love that gave us the privilege to be called sons and for this we are to be grateful, don't you think?
What we didn't touch yesterday which we would just do briefly today before going into the lesson for today is the fact that the world does not know us, that is, they do not understand what it is we have and of whom we have been begotten nor are they willing to know. This however shouldn't be a problem because even while Jesus who came as the express image of God was on earth, they didn't know him too, not that they didn't see him, but he wasn't accepted nor believed by them. While being sons is the privilege we have as a result of his love, we also have the world against us as this also comes with the privilege. The Lord help us to live our lives for him even when the world is against us. Amen. Let's see the passage of scripture below,
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" ( 1 John 3:2,3).
Today, we continue our lesson from verse two and I want us to pay attention to the flow of thought. In verse 1, it was explained to us how it is that we have been called sons as a result of his love, and also the fact that the world does not know us because it knew him not, right? Look at what verse two begins with, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God ". This in line with verse 1 may mean that even if the world does not accept us since it didn't accept him, it still does not deny the fact that we are the sons of God. It still does not deny the fact that by the reason of God's love, we have been adopted into his beloved and now we are sons. Glory to God.
Although there's still more to it and it still does not yet appear what we shall be, that is, in the end when he shall appear, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him. This I suppose is to refer to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ just as the scripture puts it in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54. Even then, we shall see him as he is and we shall be like him. This is to say that there's the hope we must keep alive, that of seeing Jesus when he comes, that of being changed into his image. It does not deny the fact that even now we are the sons of God, that is, in this present time but a time is also coming when we shall see him as he is and we shall be just like him. In this we are to rejoice and face every challenge with the hope that has been given us.
That is not all, is it? It says as well that every man that has this hope in him, what hope? That Jesus Christ is coming to take his beloved home; that those who are now sons, that is, you and I would get to spend forever with him. This is the hope and every one that has this hope in him, purifies himself, that is, keeps himself from all worldly entanglement, waiting patiently no matter how long it takes for his coming and with the hope that he would see him as he is and would be like him. This hope calls for purity even as he is pure. It calls for separation and consecration. It calls for daily watching and perseverance in the faith. It calls for one to be sober and be vigilant so that when he comes, we shall have confidence before him and not be ashamed whether we sleep at the time or live. Do you have this hope in you? If yes, what do you daily to keep yourself from the world's defilement and entanglement? God bless his word in our hearts. Amen.
Thought for the Day
The truth that Christ would come again, and that we who are now sons would see him as he is and would be like him should create in us the desire the keep ourselves from the world's distractions and entanglement.
Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries/testimonies, please call/WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08053662272 or Email: [email protected].
Post a Comment
Please drop a comment and use the Social Media Buttons below to share to friends and family.