Together in Christ: 'We Will Be Like Him!' — 1 John 3:1-3

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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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

Key Thought

The apostle Paul made clear that his mission was to see Jesus come alive and become perfectly formed in the life of believers. [1] Jesus was emphatic: If we are His disciples, then we are going to become like Him, our teacher. [2] The Holy Spirit is at work transforming us to become like Jesus. [3] Unfortunately, while we are still on this earth, we are never going to fully arrive at this destination even though God views us as His "holy and blameless" children "without a single fault." [4] We have to grow up to become the followers of Christ that God has declared us to be. [5]

The glorious truth for us is that we will fully arrive at "destination Jesus" when our Lord returns for us in glory. [6] John tells us in our relationship-verse today that we can't fully know what we will be like in glory until Jesus comes. Nevertheless, John stresses that we will be like Jesus and see our Lord, the King of glory, as He fully is. [7] Waiting for this day can be hard, especially as we go through all sorts of trials, troubles, and sorrows, [8] so God has given us each other to encourage one another until our faith becomes sight. [9]

So, dear friend of Jesus, press on toward the Lord and your future with Him. [10] Help others on their journey to Jesus and invite them to help you. We will get to share in the grand reunion of all God's people of all time and share in Jesus' glory. Until that day, we choose to keep ourselves pure and to help each other on our way home to God!

[1] Colossians 1:28-29.
[2] Luke 6:40.
[3] 2 Corinthians 3:18.
[4] Colossians 1:22.
[5] 1 Peter 2:2-3.
[6] Matthew 16:27, 25:31; Mark 8:38; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
[7] Psalm 24:7-10; 1 Timothy 1:17.
[8] 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.
[9] 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 NIV.
[10] Philippians 3:12-14.

Today's Prayer

Precious Father, I long for the day Jesus returns in Your glory and the glory of all of Your angels. [A] I look forward to seeing You in Your glory because I will be in my perfected, resurrected, and immortal body. Until that day, I commit to purity as I help other brothers and sisters in Christ on their journey home to You. Help us press on as we lean on each other's strength and the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of the conquering and crucified Jesus, I pray. Amen.

[A] Luke 9:26.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Philippians 1:19-26
  • 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 John 3:1-3 NLT — 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.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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