John speaks of Christians as “children” or “little children.” Those who
are born of God are “children of God.” Those who receive the gospel are those whom God has given the power to become part of a special family (1 Jn. 2:29).
That is to say, we all are children of God – still learning, still growing, still needing to improve, still finding ways of understanding who God is, and what God is doing, still trying to make sense of life! John wants us to know that becoming a child of God is a gift, but a gift that continues to invite us to see more, for with God there always is more!
In fact, John himself writes, “What we will be (as children of God) has not yet been revealed; but we know that when Christ appears, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is, and all who have this hope purify themselves as Christ is pure” (1 Jn. 3:2-3). As children of God, we can imagine what we can become in this life and in the life to come: to become like Christ, the perfect image of God.
In other words, it is all about who we are now but who we can become in the future; but always moving toward Christ, the goal of the Christian life. We are not fully there yet, of course, but someday, someday, we will be through God’s love and grace! John is inviting us to imagine what shape our lives can take and to see how our lives can offer light in a world of darkness, violence, deceit, delusion, and death.
How is God inviting you to move into the future? How might you imagine what Christ is calling you to do that you might not have considered?
Pastor Andy Kinsey
are born of God are “children of God.” Those who receive the gospel are those whom God has given the power to become part of a special family (1 Jn. 2:29).
That is to say, we all are children of God – still learning, still growing, still needing to improve, still finding ways of understanding who God is, and what God is doing, still trying to make sense of life! John wants us to know that becoming a child of God is a gift, but a gift that continues to invite us to see more, for with God there always is more!
In fact, John himself writes, “What we will be (as children of God) has not yet been revealed; but we know that when Christ appears, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is, and all who have this hope purify themselves as Christ is pure” (1 Jn. 3:2-3). As children of God, we can imagine what we can become in this life and in the life to come: to become like Christ, the perfect image of God.
In other words, it is all about who we are now but who we can become in the future; but always moving toward Christ, the goal of the Christian life. We are not fully there yet, of course, but someday, someday, we will be through God’s love and grace! John is inviting us to imagine what shape our lives can take and to see how our lives can offer light in a world of darkness, violence, deceit, delusion, and death.
How is God inviting you to move into the future? How might you imagine what Christ is calling you to do that you might not have considered?
Pastor Andy Kinsey
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