LEARNING DAILY

1 John 3:1-2, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

John wrote in his gospel, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). As a Believer you are a “child of God”; through faith in Jesus Christ, you were born into the family of God. This is a spiritual rebirth. I want to say that this is an amazing part of the gospel message. Believing on the crucifixion and resurrection of the Son of God is the very center of being not just being “called the children of God” but truly being “the children of God”. Do you understand the difference? Knowing involves more than just having information; it refers to having an intimate relationship with God!

Being a child of God is being a co-heir with Jesus of everything in God’s kingdom for all eternity. Take a moment to get that thought deep in your mind and spirit. All that the father has given His Son in the kingdom, he has given to Believers as well. Read Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8:14-17 just to confirm this. As a “child of God” a Believer has been given a new nature and are to be serious about how he/she lives their life. Believers are not called to live any way they want but to walk that narrow way each day. John has written about sin in this letter and Believers cannot be slack in their daily walk.

Notice that John wrote that unbelievers do not understand the change Jesus brings in Believers. The “love” that John writes about is agape love which gives with nothing expected in return; that is certainly strange to the world which is always expecting something in return for what is done or given. So, the Believer’s desire to do without getting in return is not recognized. The Lord Jesus was not recognized or known for who He was, and Believers can expect the same treatment.

“Beloved, now we are children of God”. This is not a future event. You are a child of God from the moment you place your faith in Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, and His resurrection! In addition to that, your future in His kingdom has not been fully revealed. Believers can know they will have a new body, free from pain and all the worldly problems, they will be forever in the presence of Jesus, in a way that is far better than what we know in our lives right now. Just know that there will be greater things revealed to us when the Lord brings Believers to be with Him in His kingdom! Let me write again just to emphasize this – Jesus will take Believers to be with Him (through death or the rapture), Believers will see Him, receive a new body, and be with Him forever!

Being a child of God now does not mean Believers are going to be perfect. It does mean they are to continue to walk the narrow way, becoming more and more like Jesus. Never forget how much Jesus loves you. He loves you enough to forgive you when you confess your sin (1 John 1:9) and to live as an overcomer (I John 2:14). That gives me hope and the help I need to walk the narrow way as the Father desires.