Love Always Hopes (2)
Scripture Reading — 1 Cor. 13:7c; 1 John 3:1-3
We know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
In this world people are often identified by such things as race, ethnicity, class, political party, religious preference. For the Christian the only identification that has any lasting value is to be called a child born of God.
The apostle John tells us “…all who received [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children…born of God” (John 1:10-13). The apostle Peter says children born of God “participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4). Paul spoke for every child born of God when he declared: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
Right now we are children of God, but God is not through with us yet. Christian hope is grounded in a glorious future. When Jesus returns to this earth again we shall take on both his moral and physical perfection forever “for we shall see him as he is.” Imagine that! God’s love moves us to hope that there will come a day when there will be no more sin, suffering, or death.
This great hope empowers us to begin now to put to death what’s evil in us and to put on Christ-like virtues like kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, self-control.
Father, thanks for the hope that one day I shall be like Jesus in body and spirit. By your Spirit, help me to become what I already am in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
About the author — Richard E. Williams
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