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.
John sounds overwhelmed. "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are!" It's as if he can't fully grasp the wonder of it. God is holy, good, loving, most high. How should people like us—broken, sinful, unable to help ourselves—how should we, of all people, be called children of God?
But so we are. Who has done this miracle? Our dear Lord Jesus, who is Himself the Son of God—and who became a human being, one of us, so that He might transform us into children of God. And He did this miracle how? Not through simple power; He lay down His own life on the cross to give us birth. His death became our life; and His resurrection means that we have our dear Savior forever, to be with us always, and to keep us safely in God's family—forgiven, joyful, and at peace.
It is very true that the world doesn't recognize us—though we are made new, still, all around us, the old, broken world goes on just as it always did. It didn't recognize Jesus when He came into the world—how should it recognize us, His adopted brothers and sisters? And we ourselves can only imagine what we will be like on the Last Day, when Jesus returns to take us to be with Him forever. But whatever He does with us, we know it will be wonderful, because we will be like Jesus—and who could ask for more?
So we prepare as best we can for that wonderful day. We gather together as the family of God, praying, listening, reading, learning, taking Communion—waiting eagerly for the One we love. On that day we will no longer be hidden. What God has made of us will be clear to everybody. And best of all, we will see Jesus.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, come quickly! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When do you find it the hardest to believe that you are a child of God?
2. How does God comfort and strengthen you when you are doubting and afraid?
3. What do you think it will be like when you see Jesus?
Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 27-29 Hebrews 5
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