In addition to the fact that He will call us His children, we really are His family. A portion of that change is prompt, however not all that we will become has been uncovered, yet. Only at the time when Christ returns will we see all that He has available for us. John additionally interfaces a relationship with Christ to unadulterated (pure) living. Verses 1-3 zero in on God’s affection, and how His adoration brings about people becoming the children of God.
Verse one lets us know what our identity is, God’s family (“sons of God”). Verse two lets us know who we are becoming, impressions of God. The remainder of the chapter lets us know what we take with us as we develop to look like God: triumph over transgression (1 John 3:4-9); love for the siblings (1 John 3:10-18); and certainty before God (1 John 3:19-24).
Our Position (“sons of God”):
This first verse makes a definite statement as to what we are, and in doing so it reflects a spiritual birth. We hold a title and as an heir to the King, we cannot be taken from Him (John 1:12). We may have a title while here on this earth, but if we are the sons of God, we hold a heavenly title. Which one is more important to us, our heavenly title, or a worldly title (president so & so, queen of whatever, CEO of this or that)? People should see Jesus in us in all that we do.
Turning into a child of God is viewed as an incredible indication of the adoration from God the Father. John explicitly specifies that believers are not just called “sons of God." As believers we really are God’s children, and as children, we are part of God’s family. This subject is intently associated with the expressions of John 1:12. The family of God are the people who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and they have faith in him.
We are Peculiar (“the world knoweth us not”):
As part of the family of God our self-esteem is grounded on the certainty that God loves us and calls us his children. We are part of his family now, not only sometime later in life. Realizing that we are his family ought to urge us to live as Jesus did (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26-27, 4:6-7). We are different from the world. We are strangers in this world. We are a chosen few (1 Peter 2:9-10). The world does not understand our joy for it can only see the here and now, not what lies ahead. We may be in this world, but we are not to be partakers of it. Should Christians blend in and look like the world?
Individuals regularly base their self-idea on their achievements, however our relationship with Christ is definitely more significant than our positions, our victories, our abundance, or our insight. We have been picked (chosen) by God as his own, and we have been called to address him to other people. We are to recall that our worth comes from being part of God's family, not from what we can accomplish. We have worth as a result of what God does, not on account of what we do.
Our Potential (“we shall be like Him”):
Are we changing daily? Are we maturing in our walk of faith? (Romans 12:1-2) Are we truly striving to become more Christlike? On that day (“when he shall appear”), we shall be changed (“we shall be like Him”). There will be no more sorrow, no more grief, no more pain, no more disease, and no more death.
We all, as a whole, face constraints. Individuals who have physical, mental, or emotional impediments are particularly mindful of this. Some people might be visually impaired; however, they can see a better approach to living. Some people might be hard of hearing; however, they can hear God's Good News. Some people might be debilitated, yet they can stroll in God's adoration. Likewise, they have the consolation that those impairments are just impermanent. Paul lets us know that we will be given new bodies when Jesus returns, and these bodies will be without those impediments, never to die or to have any debilitating ailments. (1 Corinthians 15:49-52)
Our Purity (“this hope in him”):
The Christian life is a course of turning out to be increasingly Christlike (Romans 8:29). This cycle will not be finished until we see him eye to eye (1 Corinthians13:12; Philippians 3:21). Yet realizing that it is our definitive objective ought to persuade us to decontaminate (purify) ourselves. To refine (purify) means to keep ethically straight, liberated from the defilement of transgression. God purges (purifies) us as well, yet there is a move that we should make to remain ethically fit.
• 1 Timothy 5:22, Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
• James 4:8, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
• 1 Peter 1:22, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
In being in line with God, we must humble our hearts to Christ, submit ourselves to His will, and commit our lives to Him. We should strive to become more like Christ. Do not fall for the worldly treasures of this life but lay-up treasures in heaven.
• Matthew 6:19-20, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Our Purpose:
In being part of the family of God implies that we have a reason in this life that has timeless importance. As a part of the family of God, we are given profound spiritual gifts that we are to use to develop and reinforce the family, and that is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). As a member of the family of God, we have the obligation and prerogative to broaden out the summons to others to trust and believe in Christ and become members of God’s family with us.
• Matthew 28:19-20, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
It is one thing to affirm that we know Christ and that we are in him. It is another to live a life that shows that Christ is our righteousness. It is impressive to realize that positionally we are in Christ and that we are acknowledged as the “beloved” (verse 2), however it is another thing to continue with a daily existence that is proportionate with that. John is letting us know that the method for perceiving who are our spiritual family members is by their lives and not their lips. A family trait for God the Father and his children is righteousness. And as a member of the family of God, we are to be an example of that righteousness.
Where is our position? Are we peculiar people? What about our potential and are we living a life of purity? And do we have a purpose? If not, then why not?
