Look-Alikes
Today’s Verse:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ~1 John 3:2
As a pastor, I have the privilege of visiting with many people during a week’s time. I encourage members to introduce me to other family members, and I enjoy meeting them. Sometimes, after a visit, my wife comments to them how family members look alike or do not look alike. Those who look alike are easier to distinguish than those who do not. The Apostle John refers to a time in which all saved believers will be just like our Lord Jesus.
We see a loving adoption.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” When we got saved, God adopted us into His family. We immediately became sons of God. We went from being children of darkness and children of the devil to becoming sons of God. Sonship is inseparable. The Lord never disowns us. Through sonship, God is our Father and we can call on Him as Abba, Father. As children of God, we have inherited a new nature and are to walk as children of the light. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. Let’s be thankful for such love!
We see the Lord’s appearing.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” John makes a strong emphasis on the imminent appearing of our Lord. Jesus is coming again! His appearing was announced by Jesus Himself, the angels at His ascension, Paul, Peter, and John. When He appears, all believers will go through a transformation into what is known as glorification. We shall be like Him! This means we will go from being mortal to immortal. We will go from corruptible to incorruptible. We will be free from the presence of sin. We will be changed entirely and have a glorified spiritual state just like His! No more corruption from sin! No more death!
We see the longing ambition.
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” We know that we are sons of God. We know that the Lord can appear at any time. These two facts give us a powerful incentive to live holy, separated lives. The word purify takes us back to the Old Testament ceremonial cleansing before service was done for God. God desires a people that is holy and spotless when we serve Him. We must come to God daily for cleansing from sin. We must keep ourselves separated from worldly lusts that defile the soul. James admonishes us to “cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Our ambition should be to be purified, even as He is pure.
Are you living your life so close to the Lord that you look like Him? A Christian man went out of his way to help a very needy child. After receiving this man’s generous help, the child asked the man, “Are you God?” The man replied, “No, but I am one of His children.” The child responded by saying, “I thought so. You look so much like Him.” The best testimony that we can give this world is living so close to Jesus that we look alike.
Have a purifying God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 28-29