“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3.1-3
What does it mean to be a child of God? It’s more than just a title John gives those who follow God — it is an inheritance, a hope and a dream. To be a child of God means that God has lavished great love upon us, according to 1 John 3.1. Yet not everyone understands or considers being a child of God important. John tells us that the “world does not know us” because… “it did not know him.”
What does it mean to know God and to be known by him? To know God means to believe in him and his Son whom he has sent. When we chose to believe in Jesus we become his children but still the world remains detached. The “world”, which is the majority of the people in it, does not know God or understand why we do what we do.
Yet our hope is Christ’s appearance! How often do I have to write about this for us to believe! We live in a world shaded by darkness but also by hope. We must cling to that hope so that we find truth, life and love in the arms of Christ.
And when Jesus appears, “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Image seeing Jesus face to face. Consider the joy in seeing him as “he is.” No longer will we simply read about him or experience him through His word or the Spirit, we will know him. This is our anticipation and this is our joy.
As John writes to this early church he does so with such promise. It’s a promise meant for us today for we too are God’s children and we too are heirs to that promises.
Will you receive that hope today?
“O Lord God, I praise you. I am but a traveler on this road of life. Seeking to honor you and to walk in step with your Spirit. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Help me realize the incredible blessing of being a child of the Most High God. Forgive my waywardness and draw me back to your side. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen