Identity in Christ: I am a Child of God
1 John 3:1-3
1 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. 2 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. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. (NIV)
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1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be
called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know
us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's
children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when
he appears[a] we shall be like him, because we shall see
him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes
in him purifies himself as he is pure. (ESV)
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1 See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown,
bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and
counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not
know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize,
acknowledge) Him.
2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children;
it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know
that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children]
resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.
3 And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him
cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled,
guiltless). (Amplified)
Concentrating on verse 1:
Lavished
– poured out to overflowing, extra, lots and lots
Children
– we share the same DNA, His genetic material, we
belong to him by blood, the blood of Christ
Unknown
by the world – we no longer share DNA with the world, we are now
different
Now –
now means now, not just the future, but now.
I am a greatly loved child
of my Father in heaven.
