I John 3:2 (NLT)
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.
The
apostle John authored both the gospel of John and I, II, and III John. The
purpose of the gospel of John was to “arouse a saving faith” (John 20:31) while
the purpose of I John was to establish certainty (see I John 5:13) regarding
that faith. Henrietta Mears described I
John as the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther described I John like this—“I
have never read a book written in simpler words and yet the words are
inexpressible”. I think that I John is
among required reading for brand new Christians.
John
describes believers in Christ as God’s children. What does it mean to be a child of God? A Christian friend gave me the following
“letter” years ago when I was going through some really tough times years ago,
before the internet was available. I
frankly don’t know the true author, but here is one website today where it is
published: http://www.newfoundationspubl.org/from3.htm. I
have treasured these words and I hope that you do too:
My Beloved Child,
I see your loneliness and fears, your guilt and frustrations. I see your endless search for love and
fulfillment. All this must be in order
for you to come to the end of your own understanding ---then you can hear My
voice. Listen carefully amid the noise
of the world and you will hear.
I love you! I shed My blood
for you to make you free. Give yourself
completely to Me. I created you to be
just as you are, and you are lovely in My eyes.
Do not criticize yourself or become depressed for not being perfect in
your own eyes. This leads to
frustrations. I want you to trust Me one
step, one second at a time. Dwell in My
power and My love and be free; be yourself.
Don’t allow other people to control you. I will guide you, if you let Me, but be aware
of My presence in everything. I give you
patience, love, joy, and peace. Look to
Me for answers for I am your Shepherd and will lead you. Follow Me only. Do not ever forget this. Listen and I will tell you My will.
Let My love flow from you and spill over to all you
encounter. Be not concerned with
yourself. You are My
responsibility. I will change you
without your ever knowing it. You are to
love yourself and love others, simply because I love you. Take your eyes off yourself; look only to
Me. I lead, I change, I create, but not
when you are striving. You are
Mine....let Me have the joy of making you like Christ. Learn from Him--be meek and humble of heart.
Your only command is to look to Me, and Me only--not to yourself
or to others. Do not struggle, but relax
in My love. I know what is best for you
and I will do it in you. Stop trying to
become, and let Me make you into what I want.
My will is perfect; My love is sufficient. I will supply all your needs...only look to
Me.
I love you,
Your heavenly Father
God is purposeful for
not describing to His children in Christ what we shall be like after we die
other than assuring us that we will be like Jesus and with Him. So whatever we read about the personality and
character of Jesus in the gospels and the rest of the New Testament, we can be
assured that each of us will be like Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment