1 John 3:1 – 3
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. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:1 – 3 (NIV)
I consider these verses to be another “Problem Passage,” which I referenced in my latest devotion. With that I’ll write the 5 words I don’t like to hear: To be honest with you, I have a difficult time understanding how John can write parts of the 2nd and 3rd verses: But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, ……..All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.
How can I be compared to being like Christ, who was perfect? And even though I have this hope in Him, I don’t believe I can purify myself.
I struggled understanding this “Problem Passage”, so thought it best to conduct a Google search, in hopes of better understanding what John is communicating. Whether the Reverend Michael Johnson’s interpretation is accurate or not, for me it attempts to answer the “Problem Passage” of verses 1 – 3.
In 1 John chapter 3, the scene is set in a small, dimly lit room in the city of Ephesus. The room is filled with a diverse group of believers who have gathered together for a Bible study session. Among them are John, the author of the letter, a few elders from the local church, and a mix of men and women from different backgrounds and walks of life.
As the discussion progresses, John challenges the believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling as children of God. He encourages them to purify themselves and strive for righteousness, knowing that one day they will see God face to face.
The call to strive for purity speaks to the transformative power of God’s love in our lives. We are called to pursue purity and righteousness in all aspects of our lives to resemble our Heavenly Father…….. God’s transformative power of love encourages us to reflect on our thoughts, actions, and intentions, striving to align them with God’s will in order to grow closer to Him and reflect His love to the world around us.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does knowing that we are children of God inspire us to live in a way that honors Him?
- How can we actively pursue in our daily lives a life like Christ, to honor our identity as God’s beloved children?
- When someone says, to be honest with you, do you wonder if there are times they aren’t honest with you?
Prayer:
Father in heaven, I thank You for the blessing of the unfailing love You lavish on us as Your children! Help me to realize the transformative power of Your love and each day strive to live in a manner worthy of being your child. In your name I pray. Amen.
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