“How great is the love the Father has lavished on 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. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3)
Our culture proclaims the brotherhood of all humanity bought through the media as well as the academic community. But the Word of God proclaims that this is a deceptive heresy that conceals the truth about one’s true relationship with God Almighty. The Apostle John alludes to this exclusive relationship in his epistle in this passage in which he exalted the Lord concerning the wonderful gift of union with Him, both now and in eternity.
All human beings are God’s creations but only those who have faith in Christ are His children. Only we who are baptized into Christ, who have faith in Him as Lord and Redeemer are one with Him. Therefore, only we are His true children. As His children, we are equal in righteousness to Jesus Himself, as deserving as He of the Father’s love and blessings. We are the Saints, called out of the world and into the Kingdom of God. It is His acceptance and love that makes us desire to live lives of purity and holiness, though we are ever aware of our weakness and frailty. We are both Saints and sinners. We struggle in this life with our sinfulness and the sinful allure of the world. Yet we rejoice to know that one day that struggle will be over.
God’s love is what saves us. This love is what He desires we extend to others. Love, as He manifests it, is so different from the world’s primary misconception of love as romance or physical attraction or sex. Love is a positive regard for other people, not just those who love us, not just our relatives and friends, but our enemies as well. Love is shown by self-sacrifice, mercy, and compassionate caring for the needs of others without demanding or expecting anything in return. Jesus manifested such love by dying on the cross. He expects us to do the same. This is an impossible task without faith but God knows our weakness. He equips and enables His children to obey.