Not everyone is enjoying life. Many are living lives of desperation. Not if you know Jesus. Jesus came to gave life and give it abundantly. Are we ants living on the end of a burning log? We have the Word of God and you can know the purpose for your existence.

1 – The Christian dignity (vs. 1)

The Christian has a “Father” who looks after us in many ways.

• The Father’s care – “What manner of love” – It is a love that is out of this world. We are not just called “sons of God”, we are “sons of God”. The Christian is of royal blood. See Heb 2:10ff. Jesus is not ashamed of us. He is not ashamed to call us brother or sister. We share the same divine nature. I am a blood brother of Jesus Christ. How much does God love Jesus? See John 20:17. There is nothing that you can do to make Jesus love you anymore. See Romans 8:29. We can speak to God and call Him “Abba, Father”. My Father is obligated to look after me. If God looks after the birds of the air then he will look after you. The bread in the warehouse will go stale but God owns a bakery. His give us this day our daily bread.
• The Father’s correction – Heb 12:5-5. Sometimes God brings problems in our lives because He loves us.
• The Father’s compassion.
• The Father’s companionship – There is a relationship with almighty God that is so wonderful. You may think that you are alone but God is there to protect you.

2 – The Christian destiny (vs. 2)

There are some things that we do not know. Don’t worry if you don’t know the answer. You don’t know what we will look like in Heaven, etc. Tell what you DO know. Christ is going to appear. We are waiting for Christ to return to this earth. It is true!

• We will see him as he is. He will be resplendent in his glory. See John 17:5ff, 24. We will behold His glory. Never mind the gates of gold. The glory of Jesus is greater.
• We are going to be like Him. If you were to see Jesus now you could not look upon him without being killed instantly. You can send a man to the moon but you cannot send a man to the Son. If we were not made like Him we would not be able to stand.

3 – The Christian duty (vs. 3)

What does this mean to me and you?

• You ought to be looking for His coming? It is a divine certainly.
• We ought to be living for His coming. Are you ready for Jesus coming today. Is there impurity in your Christian life? If you knew Jesus was coming back today would you make some changes? Then make them! See 1 Corinthians 7:1. God is not satisfied with you trying to travel second class to Heaven. It is not motivated by law but by love.
• We ought to be longing for His coming. The best thing that could happen to you and me is for Jesus to return right now. Our destiny is that we are going to be like Jesus. Our duty is to be like Jesus so that He can make us pure and holy.

The unsaved will miss all this. Make sure that you confess your sins and be saved.

Categories: 1 John