1 John 3:2: We Shall Be Like Him

1 John 3:2
[2] 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. (ESV)

I love how the Apostle John describes the Christ followers whom he is writing this letter to. He calls them beloved. Not only did John himself love the people he was writing to, but he is speaking of the great love of God demonstrated in Christ Jesus. Those who belong to Jesus are loved by their Heavenly Father. He adopted us. We were purchased even though we were undeserving.

What is our status now? We are children of God. I think that the truth of our new identity is a bit difficult to grasp. I don't know about you, but I struggle daily with feeling that I am not a very good son. I still fail my Heavenly Father. I know that the things I am not supposed to do are still a temptation to me. The good things I am supposed to be doing I sometimes cowardly refuse to do. I am not a perfect son. But, I am a loved son.

John knows that we have this battle with our own sinful nature. He gives us great news. He tells us that there is coming a day when we will be like the Savior. When Christ returns we will be like him. That is one of the most significant reasons we anxiously await the Savior's return. When he returns we will be like him. We will be changed. In Heaven we will no longer fight temptation. We will no longer sin and disappoint our God and Father. What a happy day that will be.

As you wait for the transformation that will come when Christ returns remember, You are loved! Allow the love of God encourage your heart as you await your transformation.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

James 2:18: I Will Show You My Faith By My Works

James 2:18 [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV) There are certain things in life that go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Double stuff Oreo cookies and milk. Faith and works. James raises the point that someone might argue that faith and works can be separated. "One will say, "You have faith and I have works." Is it ok for works to be separated from faith? James is making the argument that faith and works are not to be separated. James is saying to the one who has faith only, with no works, that he wants them to see his faith by his works. In other words, if you are going to claim to have faith, but have no works, you have no evidence of faith. If I am to believe that a person has genuine faith I can only see that by their works. Faith brings action. There are so many people to claim to have some kind of faith, yet when it comes down to it, their

Every Day Devotion

Search This Blog