Behold What Manner Of Love (Part 2)

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 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. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 NKJV).

As we continue to consider God’s amazing love for us, it’s fitting to explore the rich lyrics of Stuart Townend’s hymn – “How deep the Father’s love for us?” The first verse goes:
 
    How deep the Father's love for us?
    How vast beyond all measure?
    That He should give His only Son
    To make a wretch His treasure
    How great the pain of searing loss?
    The Father turns His face away
    As wounds which mar the Chosen One
    Bring many sons to glory
 
It speaks of the depth, the vastness and sacrifice of God’s love. It’s like freeing someone on death row because someone else agreed to take their place. No, it’s more than that, it is that in Christ’s death, we find new life. And if all He did was to die, then it would mean our lives will someday come to a miserable end too.

But He did not just die. Against all odds, He rose from the grave with His resurrection power. He gives us a living hope - an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade (1 Peter 1:4, NIV). Therefore, we receive more from His resurrection than we did from His death. In the double effect of His death and resurrection, therein lies the hope of every Christian. That’s the basis of our Joy as we wait for the fulfilment of His promise.
 
I think this is what John meant when he wrote “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...” (1 John 3:2, NKJV). We know His death and resurrection has made us “Children of God”, but there is more. What we shall be in the future, in the New Heaven and New Earth has not been revealed. We don’t quite know what it will be like. But we know this…one day, oh what a glorious day it will be, one day we will see Him.
 
Wow. I just can’t get my head around that. We will actually see Him. We will see the maker of the Heavens and the Earth. We will see the one we pray to, the one who answers our prayers, the one who came as a child, who died for our sins on the cross, rose again, and now reigns as LORD GOD in Heaven. John says we won’t just see Him, we will actually be “like Him.” I won’t even try to contemplate what that it means to be “like Him”, but if that’s what’s at stake, then I want to continue in His love.
 
John said, “All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3, NIV). There is nothing worth living for that can compare to the love of God we’ve received. We get to enjoy His love, His grace, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit here on earth and in eternity much more.

But the world in which we now live is anti. John said, “the world does not know us, because it did not know Him”. They don’t want to know. So, like Jesus faced tribulation, trials and eventually crucifixion, we will also face challenges here. However, in the face of these trials and tribulation, we should “count it all Joy” as James said (James 1:2, NKJV). These trials will mature us, complete us, and prepare us for our His return. So, let’s stand out, let’s stay pure, let’s lay aside any bitterness and unforgiveness, let’s lay hold of God’s precious promises. One day, we will exchange those promises for His reality. We shall see Him as He is! I want that, do you?