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EIBC Devotional #3 - “Children of God”

Emerald Isle Baptist Church

Pastor Zach Emory

 

Question(s) for Reflection

What does it mean to be a “child of God?”

Scripture: 

1 John 3:1-3

1 See what love the Father has given 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. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 

The second part of verse 2 is fascinating to me:  “...what we will be has not yet been revealed.” How can we grow any closer to God than by being His child? John continues by saying that “when he is revealed, we will be like him.” My understanding of this passage is that our relationship with God is dynamic and progressive; it continually grows. I am sure your relationship with your parents/guardians/caregivers looked a bit different from when you were 6 years old, 16 years old, and 60 years old, and it is the same with God! We are deepening our relationship with Him as our Spiritual Father daily until the time at which we see him “face-to-face” rather than through a dimly-lit mirror (1 Cor. 13:12). Paul continues that verse in Corinthians by echoing this Johannine theology found in 1 John 3:1-3:  “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” A term often used to describe this moment is “glorification,” the time at which all who have accepted Christ will be fully realized just as Christ is fully realized. Until that time, however, John urges us to continue to “purify ourselves.” Consider what that looks like. There is much theology to unpack here, so spend some time with these texts and meditate prayerfully upon them!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me Your child. Help me to grow closer to You daily until the time at which I will see You as You are and be just like You. Until then, through the power of your Holy Spirit, help me to purify myself so that I might best reflect You and Your love to the whole world. In the name of Christ Jesus, amen.