4/14/21

Our Epistle this week is 1 John 3:1‭-‬7.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

In this passage John urges us to follow the model of Christ. Jesus showed us a better way to live and treat each other, blessed by the Father and guided by the Spirit. We are called the children of God, made in His image and intended for His purpose.

We know that “all who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (v. 3). When we repent and obey, our sins are forgiven through Jesus and we can live new lives in Him. When we turn from our will to His, we see the world in a different way.

If we follow His example, others may also come to know Him and receive salvation. The real blessing is that Jesus will return for us and “when Christ appears, we shall be like him” (v. 2). This is our promised joy, that by living a life in Him, we can live with Him eternally.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sin. Make us strong in Your love to share this wonderful gift with everyone. Amen.

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