Child of God

“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 3:2-3 (NIV)

Are you a child of God? Have you been born into God’s family by placing your faith in Jesus alone for salvation? Recall your initial experience with Christ. Before Christ, you were running to sin. Now that you are in Christ, you are running from sin and to Christ.

Now think about what you are becoming. You know who you are and whose you are. You know that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. You know that there is nothing you can do to cause God to love you any more and there is nothing you can do to cause God to love you any less. You know that God wants you to progress in your faith and wants you to mature spiritually. You know that one day you will receive your glorified body and be like Christ. You will finally and eternally see Jesus as He is.

Until you cross over to the other side, God wants you to live a life of purity. You are to purify yourself by living a consecrated life. 

• “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 (NIV)
• “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Tim 6:11-12 (NIV)
• “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Tim 2:22 (NIV)

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care