"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." I JOHN 3:1
Just look at this marvelous love the Father extends to us. He calls us His children. That is who you really are. You are a child of God.
It seems to be an old condition; the difficulty to see how the love of God has given us the right to be called the children of God.
John, the Apostle, urged believers in the Early Church to appreciate who they were. He points out how God, in His lavish love, delighted to call them His children. John explains the world did not recognize them as children of God, because the world did not recognize their loving God.
For the same reason, in the church today some born-again believers are tempted to doubt or undervalue themselves as children of God. They lack assurance that God would, in His grace, save them and give them a place in His family. Their focus is on their unworthiness. They fail to focus on God's marvelous love.
Can a holy God love us enough to be glad to call us His child? Friend, you are His child. Really, you are. When you believe that, you will have the joy of your salvation. You will have God's joy over you.
If you cannot fully accept that truth, how can you expect those around you to comprehend His love for them?
Our text calls us to show our choices and life goals are not determined by who we were, as a child of our earthly father, but as a born-again child of God. Let everyone see how His love changes the way we live today. Our faith in His love will keep them from being disappointed. Everyone wants to know God loves them. Your assurance can give them hope.
Don't see yourself disowned by God. An inaccurate self-image can make you live below who you really are.
Be who you really are: If you do, the world will come to know God and what He can do, because they can see what He has done for you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, i'm thankful Your love has changed me and made me Your child. God, help me to live today as Your child so others will see there is a God who loves and changes sinners into His children. in Jesus' name. Amen