1 John 3:2: 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.
First John 3:1 tells us what we are and 1 John 3:2 tells us what we shall be. The reference here, of course, is to the time of Christ’s coming for His church. This was mentioned in 1 John 2:28 as an incentive for holy living, and now it is repeated.
God’s love for us does not stop with the new birth. It continues throughout our lives and takes us right up to the return of Jesus Christ! When our Lord appears, all true believers will see Him and will become like Him. This means, of course, that they will have new, glorified bodies, suited to heaven.
All this is to remind us of the Father’s love. Because the Father loved us and sent His Son to die for us, we are children of God. Because God loves us, He wants us to live with Him one day. Salvation, from start to finish, is an expression of the love of God. We are saved by the grace of God, but the provision for our salvation was originated in the love of God. And since we have experienced the love of the Father, we have no desire to live in sin.1
Loving Him
When you are in love with God, you should no longer be in love with yourself. Read and discuss Titus 2:11-15 for a great biblical explanation of this transformation.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:4
Loving Others
Loving the One who saved us makes us all the more ready to see Him face to face. – TWEET IT
Changing Me
Lord, thank you for saving me from the penalty and the power of sin.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
