1 John 3:1-3
Verse 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.
Understanding the love of advent can only lead us to the future fulfillment of that love. While the fulfillment of Christmas was when Jesus was born as a human, the future advent will show His boundless love as He gathers God’s children. The first verse in our reading today speaks of God lavishing His love on us because we are His children. This lavishing love is ours because of His choosing. He chose us before He even created the world, knowing He would eventually call us to live with Him for eternity.
It is exciting to think that we have a future with Him but how often do we think about life in heaven and think we deserve it? We know that we can’t earn it and yet we think we are entitled to the greatest privilege of the Christian life. We talk about ways we can make sure we get there – reading our Bibles, praying, serving, loving others, and other such works – but that isn’t what the Bible says about our going to be with Him.
Our future destination isn’t about us, it is about Him. He chose us and desires to spend eternity with us because He loves us so very much. And we aren’t going to be taken there in our current condition, He is making us to be like Jesus. Through Christ’s righteousness we can be seen as He is seen and that is perfectly pure.
That purity doesn’t mean that we are perfect, without sin. It merely means our sins are forgiven. Verse 3 in our reading says that our hope in Him should spur us on to living pure lives. The purity isn’t our ticket to heaven, it is our response to His love. We desire to please those who we love and if we love the Lord, we should strive to please Him by living purely.
Making It Personal
What do you look forward to about the future? How have you felt God’s love lavished on you? How can you show the truth of the Christ of Christmas throughout the year?
Making It Personal Kids
What do you think heaven will be like? Do you look forward to seeing Jesus? What can you do to help make the Christ of Christmas known year round?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Your Son and for this season we have to ponder the wonder of Your love. Help us love You with hearts and lives that are pure. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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