Opening Prayer: This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant me so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your Holy Word I may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
from: Living Room Liturgy by Winfield Bevins
Scripture: 1 John 3:1-2: "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. 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, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." This passage expresses the depth of God's love in making us His children, a reality that even the world may not understand
Encouragement:
John begins this passage with an invitation: "See!" It's as if he's saying, "Pause, take a moment, and truly grasp the magnitude of what I'm about to tell you." He wants us to be astounded by the Father's love.
Think about it: the God of the universe, the Creator of all things, loves us so much that He calls us His children. Not servants, not subjects, but sons and daughters. This isn't a casual affection; it's a profound, transformative love that changes our very identity. "And so we are," John emphasizes. It's not just a title; it's our reality.
In our earthly lives, adoption is a beautiful picture of love. A family chooses to bring someone into their home and make them their own. But God's love goes infinitely further. We weren't just adopted; we were, in a sense, recreated in Christ. We were once separated from God by sin, but through Jesus, we're brought into His family, inheriting all the rights and privileges of His children.
John then shifts our gaze to the future. "Beloved, we are God's children now..." Even in our present state, with all its imperfections and struggles, we have this incredible identity. But he doesn't stop there. He hints at something even more glorious: "...and what we will be has not yet appeared."
Our transformation isn't complete. There's a future revelation, a day when we will fully realize the extent of our adoption. John says, "...we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is."
Imagine seeing Jesus face-to-face! All the imperfections, the limitations, the brokenness of this world will fade away. We will be conformed to His image, not just outwardly, but inwardly, perfectly reflecting His glory. The very essence of who we are will be changed to be like Him.
This isn't just wishful thinking; it's a confident assurance. John says, "we know." This knowledge should fill us with hope and anticipation. It should shape how we live today.
Reflect:
- Do you truly grasp the depth of God's love for you? How does it feel to be called a child of God?
- How does the promise of future transformation affect your perspective on your current struggles?
- What does it mean to you to be "like Him"? How does this hope motivate you to live differently?
Let this truth sink deep into your heart today. You are a beloved child of God, and an incredible future awaits you. Live in the light of this reality, and let it transform your heart and your actions.
Sending Prayer: Gracious God, as I step out from this moment, I carry in my heart the profound truth that You are my Father, and I am Your beloved child. May this understanding settle deep within my soul, shaping how I see myself, each other, and the world around me.
Grant me the spirit of adoption, that I may cry out "Abba! Father!" with genuine love and trust. Help me to release any orphan spirits or feelings of distance, embracing the security and belonging that come from being part of Your family.
Strengthen my awareness of Your presence walking alongside me, guiding and comforting me as a loving parent would. May I live with the confidence and joy of knowing I am an heir to Your kingdom, cherished and provided for.
Empower me to reflect Your fatherly love in our interactions, extending grace, compassion, and understanding to all I encounter. May my life be a testament to the incredible gift of being Your child.
I commit myself to grow in this relationship, to listening for Your voice, and to living in a way that honors Your name. Thank you, Father, for welcoming me into Your family. Amen.