Last evening during our prayer time at church I was directed to 1 John 3. I just felt that I needed to read something…the pastor had not mentioned these verses lately, so I believe I was directed by the spirit within me to this passage.
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3 NLT
Do we see how MUCH the Father loves us? Do we really see that? Or do we roll through life acknowledging God but not really comprehending the vastness of His love for us rebellious humans. His desire to be in fellowship with our spirit man forced Him to send Jesus to earth to become one of us. A piece of himself torn out and sent in a human form to speak and show us how we should be.
Then one day, those who have believed Christ and accept this God given gift of salvation will see Christ return and we will be like him for we will see him as he is. This is our blessed hope!
What kind of joy is this? Being adopted into God’s family and made a joint heir with Christ? Really??? This song by Steven Curtis Chapman kind of sums it up.
Anybody in their right mind
Would’ve given up their preaching and headed for home
They’ve been warned a hundred times
But something inside them keeps giving them hope
And just when you think they’d be crying
Instead of the tears, there’s joy in their eyes
What kind of joy is this
That counts it a blessing to suffer
What kind of joy is this
That gives the prisoner his song
What kind of joy could stare death in the face
And see it as sweet victory
This is the joy of a soul that’s forgiven and free
Anybody else with his pain
Would want to shake their fist at heaven
And give up the fight
‘Cause trouble had been Paul’s middle name
Ever since he’d been captured by God’s blinding light
But just when his hope should be dying
If you listen you’ll hear him singing a song
What kind of joy is this
The Father has promised his children
What kind of joy is this
That Jesus has come to reveal
What kind of joy could give hope in this world
To someone just like you and me
This is the joy of a soul that’s forgiven and free
I’ve found this joy for my soul is forgiven and free
Awesome joy can be found by the soul that’s forgiven and free.
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15-16 NLT
Yes! We are God’s children bought with a price. The vastness of God’s love brings us the opportunity to experience true joy. That makes me want to praise the God of all gods for His wonderful grace and mercy He poured out upon us. Hallelujah!!!! Thank you God!
Be blessed…
Thoughts 