Oh, what wondrous things the Father has in store for us–and right now, too!

2 Good [righteous] people obtain favor from the LORD. 28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

One of the greatest descriptions of God’s love for us is given to us by the Apostle John. He was especially qualified because of his close relationship with Jesus. John references himself four times in his Gospel (13:23, 19:26, 21:7, 21:20) as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was likely the youngest disciple. Here’s what John said,

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 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. ³ All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

Let’s break down the passage:

1. “Great” and “lavished” are two descriptors that give the idea of abundance, even over-the-top. The love God has for us that He pours out on us (Romans 5:5) is great and lavish. And, how is that love displayed? In us being called His children!
2. What does it take to be a child of God? We must know Him personally. It’s all about the relationship. The world may know about Him, but until they come to know Jesus Christ personally and have Him in their hearts, they will never know Him.
3. Even though we are children of God, we are not finished products, yet. When Christ appears, meaning His Return, we shall be like Him both in body (1 Corinthians 15:49) and in maturity. The phrase, “see him as he is” means seeing Him as the person He is–and we will be just like Him!
4. We have already begun the process of becoming like Him. It’s what the Spirit is doing in us (2 Corinthians 3:18). Our goal is to be just like Jesus: Whole, Complete, Secure, Mature, and Holy. Pure.

I cannot stress enough the importance of staying in touch with the Spirit. It needs to be the first thing we do in the morning, all through the day, and the last thing we do as we go to bed. Everything revolves around our relationship with Jesus (the Spirit and Jesus are one, and Jesus and the Father are one).

Our obedience only counts when we do it in partnership with the Spirit.

Let’s stay close to His side today and receive that great love of God as He lavishes it on us!

Abba, I sure want that kind of love. Thank You for the way You bless me. May I never take Your love for granted. May I never keep it, but share it with everyone around me. I love You, too. Amen.