”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.
1 John 3:2New International Version (NIV)
1 John 3:2 ~ Children of God
We become children of God (1 John 3:2) the moment we give our lives to God. And as a child of God, you are adopted into the family of God the Creator of all. That becomes our new identity.
John has been reminding his audience (including you and me), that our present reality is that we are children of God. He uses “now”, that is the present, to hammer in the fact that we are now children of God.
Meaning that God is our Father. He is a good, and loving Father, filled with grace, mercy, and compassion.
John also addressed the future of God’s children. He stated that we who are God’s children will see Jesus.
When Christ will inaugurate His eternal kingdom, you and I will become like Him and see Him. That is, when we shall see Jesus, we shall become like Him.
This is the heritage of those who give their lives to Jesus. And He becomes their Saviour and Lord. These are the ones who will see Jesus.
Therefore, in the future end times, we shall be like Him when He’ll be revealed. We shall receive the resurrection bodies. This is the benefit or hope of being called a child of God.
Not only shall you see Jesus in His glory, but you shall share in it (Colossians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 4:16, John 17:22, and 2 Peter 1:4). This is what the entire creation expectantly looks forward to, the manifestation of God’s sons (Romans 8:19).
However, in as much unbelievers will see Jesus too, they will not transform them into His likeness.
Prayer/Blessing
Lord, I earnestly long for and look forward to the day of glorification. Thank You for this wonderful promise and future. I exalt You in Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen.
