(Some kids at Thornwell Home for Children- from which many are adopted)Devotional using scripture, quote from John Calvin and thoughts for the day each day- on the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.
7/23- I John 3:1-3
1 See what great 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. 2 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. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
3:1- “See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God!” John now reminds us (in the second argument) of the dignity and excellency of our calling; for it was not ordinary honor that the heavenly Father gave us when He adopted us as his children. In response to such an honor, we should have the desire for purity ignited in us, so we may be conformed to his image. There is no alternative but for those who acknowledge themselves to be God’s children should purify themselves. “Love is lavished” infers that it is only God’s bounty and benevolence that makes us his children. The origin of this dignity is from the gracious gift of God’s love. The more abundantly God’s goodness is shown to us, the greater are our obligations to him (cf. Rom. 12:1). The adoption of the godly is a gift and does not depend on ay works. We especially need to understand that since the only cause of our salvation is our adoption, and since the Apostle testifies that this flows from the mere love of God alone, there is nothing left to our worthiness or to the merits of our works. Why are we God’s children? Because God began to love us freely, when we deserved hatred rather than love. If there is any good in us, it doesn’t take away from God’s grace, but adds to it. “Called”- or named. It is with God’s own mouth that we are declared to be his children; as he gave a name to Abraham according to what he was. “The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” When we are not regarded as God’s children, and are treated with ridicule and contempt, it is a trial that assaults our faith. It is hard for us to see that God is a Father to us, for the devil tries to hide this blessing. An example of this is found in Isaac and Jacob who were chosen yet had to endure the laughter and taunts of Ishmael and Esau. However, when we are oppressed by the world, our salvation still remain safe and secure.
3:2- “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.” Our present condition is short of the glory of God, for in this body we are dust and shadow; death is always before us; we are subject to a thousand miseries, and the soul is exposed to numerous evils- so that we always find a hell within us. So it is necessary that our thoughts are not focused from the present view of things, lest the miseries around us should shake our faith.
“But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” The word “appear” is used differently- once as “seem”- “it does not appear what we shall be” and the other means show up- “but when he appears” (cf. Col. 3:3,4). Our faith gains strength to stand by looking to the coming of Christ. The reason God delays the showing of our glory is that Christ is not glorified in his kingdom yet. “Know” is not opinion, but shows the certainty of faith, so that we may be assured that we will be like Christ. “We shall be like him”- this doesn’t mean we shall be equal to him, for there is a difference between the head and the members; but this refers to the change in our temporary body being made like his glorified body (Phil. 3:21). The end of our adoption is that what has in order happened in Christ will be completed in us. The wicked will also see his glory, but we will see his glory as a friend- which will not be the case for the wicked, for they will dread his presence. Adam similiarly, dreaded the presence of God when he sinned. As the image of God is renewed in us, we will have eyes prepared to see God. I will not wrestle with exactly how we can see him (Augustine was not even capable of answering this). But we must beware lest we lose that peace and holiness without which no one will see him. 3:3- 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”- Our desire for holiness should nto grow cold in us, because our happiness has not yet appeared. Our hope leads us to Christ who purifies us and is the perfect pattern of purity.
We who believe are children of God by adoption. Our adoption is not yet known on this side of heaven. That is, the world doesn't think there is a Father to adopt us. The world see the misery of Christians (and sometimes we do too) and think "what's the use?" But when we set our hopes on Christ’s coming, we will not forget it. Our adoption is made complete when we are made like him. Therefore, let us not give up hope, or our desire for purity.
Prayer: Lord, let my eyes be fixed on you the author and perfector of our faith.
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