1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
God’s Children
This is one of those passages that is better understood when you know the context in which it was written. Remember, John is likely living in Ephesus when he writes these words. He is probably hanging out with the Ephesian church. A church, you might remember from our look at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, that is made up primarily of Gentiles.
Why is that important? Because these Gentiles are calling themselves God’s children. And there is no way that would sit well with the Jewish people of the day. After all, everyone knows that the Jewish people are God’s children! Even John, a Jew, should know better than to call any Gentile a child of God!
And yet, he does. I believe the “world” that John is referring to in this passage is primarily the Jewish people. Those who rejected Jesus as Messiah. John rightly points out that they do not see the Gentiles as God’s children. And, John says something very controversial when he suggests that it is the Jews who rejected Jesus who don’t know God. Not wonder John was exiled to the Island of Pathmos (an island jail) shortly after writing this letter!
Let’s face it: there will always be those who question your spirituality. Those who wonder if you really are the spiritual person you claim to be. How will you respond when challenged? Is your trust in God’s love strong enough to stand strong when others question your spirituality? It should be.
My prayer: Lord, I’m not a Christian because others say I am. I am a Christian because I received your gift of grace into my life. I gave myself to you and submitted to your purpose and plan for me. Help me to filter what others say about my relationship with you. Help me to trust your love over their condemnations. Amen.
Until tomorrow
