1 John 3:1 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.
What a wondrous thing to experience the love of a father. Watching fathers play with their children is an amazing thing. I’ve noticed quite often how children love having their father’s attention. Being thrown in the air, they have a sense of fear and security. Afraid of the height or the drop, but secure in the knowledge they have their father’s undivided attention. Even though I do not have kids, I’ve noticed how youngsters crave their parents’ attention and how infants seemed the most satisfied when they are being held by a parent. This is the image used in the verse to describe the Christian's relationship with God. We rest secure in the knowledge that he is with us, and our most satisfying times are when we see how securely he holds us to himself.
Now, this sounds great, although perhaps a bit sappy, but there is a tension in this verse. Christians have this great relationship and security, and yet they are not recognized by the world. The relationship with God transforms those who believe into something that doesn’t fit in with cultural expectations. The world does not know or understand how God’s love can transform lives and satisfies people. I see this tension echoed in Christmas. Everyone loves the holiday for its gift giving and time of rest, but the fact that we are celebrating Jesus is often minimized and overlooked. Why? Because we struggle to see Christmas as the Father’s act of costly love. The book of 1st John helps us understand both how great the love of God is and how we are to respond. I hope this Christmas season to share some thoughts on each verse in chapter 3 as I seek to think through God’s love. From this first verse, I have two questions for us to think about. First, what does perfect love look like? and Second, if you are a Christian, how has God’s love made your life look different, especially during this holiday season?
This may work best as a blog post, but I have posted it on YouTube as well. View Here
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