See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:1-3
To be like Christ Jesus in word, thought and deed is the ultimate goal of the Christian life. In a single word, that goal is ‘Christlikeness’! We are to be like Him. What that looks like when complete is has not yet appeared to us, says the beloved apostle John. When Christ appears, it will happen (in a sense, it seems as if we are fast-forwarded to completion), we will see Him just as He is, and we in turn will be like Him. What do we do in the meantime? We fix our gaze upon Him and allow the Word of God and Spirit of God to purify us… in word, thought and deed.
How cool would it be if our “fast forward” was super short, because the sanctification that occurs in this life has been so thorough?
God, I thank you for a brand new day. Take yesterday under Your grace and today make me more pure and useful for heaven and Your service. I know that Your great love as a Father has been bestowed on me.
