"See how very much our Heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God so they don't understand that we are His children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure." 1 John 3:1-3
As you read the very first chapter of the bible, you discover something very important about your origin: you were created in God’s own image. (Genesis 1:27) The world would have us dabble in DNA and other matters of genetics to try and reach some human understanding of why we are like we are. But science and God are two different matters. The mysteries of the human being will never be solved by someone in a laboratory or any philosophy or theory. That’s because we come from a Master Maker…One who is the Author of intelligence and brainpower. Yet, the world’s greatest minds seem to believe they can achieve an understanding akin to God Himself. Such arrogant intellect is simply mere foolishness. Frankly, any achievement or breakthrough in anything is from God Himself as He works through any on of those He has created. Unfortunately, most feel it is all their own doing and fail to give God the credit.
So since we have established through the Word that God created us in His own image, then we are by nature His children. In our scripture passage today, John gets to the heart and essence of God’s nature in saying He loves us so much that we are called His children. There’s something so very awesome about that…something awesome about having a perfect Father in Heaven to raise us as His children. Just as a parent nurtures and teaches a child entrusted to his or her care, so too does our Heavenly Father care for us. The big difference is that God makes no mistakes in parenting. We need not be concerned that our Heavenly parent might be flawed in some way and may hurt or misguide us. We need never worry that we might not be growing up under someone who I is a less than perfect role model. Knowing God is your Eternal Parent gives us a reassurance that by emulating His will, we can approach holiness. And as if this isn’t awesome enough, He sent us His only Son so we might be able to see the model of spiritual purity…so that we might have a reference point for living as a true child of God. The people who belong to the world, where 1 John Chapter 5 states the evil one (Satan) is in control, are blind to the truth of who they are and who they belong to. The good news is their Heavenly Father is waiting for them to return to Him.
Question: Are you a child of the world or a child of the Almighty, Heavenly God who created you in His own image and longs to see you become holy as He is holy? If you have strayed from your true Father, won’t you return to Him today? Are you willing to set your sights on Jesus and commit yourself to purity in your lifestyle and service in His name? For as John reminds us, He (Jesus) is coming back and He will be taking those who He knows (i.e. those who have chosen to have a relationship with Him) into Heaven to be with the Father. All others will be left behind to perish.
All an all, it really is a matter of choice. God made you, God loves you, God expects you to respect Him as your true Father. He never turns from anyone of His children. They do, however, choose to turn from Him. Where do you stand today? If you have turned away, run back into the arms of the Father who longs to welcome you home. And as He embraces you, never again leave Him.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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