Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Annunciation to Mary

1 John 3: 1-16

V1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

In today’s passage, the Apostle John talks what an amazing gift it is to be called a child of God.  We often take this for granted but it becomes overwhelming when we understand how implausible it is for us to call a Holy God father.  If this is so hard for us to grasp, how much harder will it be for others!  But we can rest assured in the hope that we will one day see God through His work of love in us.

John then turns to what we see in the world, which is in opposition to God’s will.  Jesus shows us that God did not stand from afar and let sin have its way.  For God gave us a perfect gift in His only begotten son so that we, as unworthy as we are, may be called children of God.  We have confidence that sin was conquered through Christ’s love.  As we look into this world and its brokenness, let us find hope and strength in the model of love God gave us to heal and reconcile this world.

John further points out how this love transforms us.  The abiding presence of Christ in our lives transforms us to bear fruit.  What is that fruit?  When the pattern of sin is broken.  When people are drawn to Christ.  When we love our brothers and sisters.  Children of God will be known when habits of sin are ended and love is seen in the relationships between people. 

If we as Christians say that we only love certain people, we have not been transformed.  We are called to see the humanity in all those around us, especially those that are not like us.  This was exemplified when the perfect Son of God came down and died for an imperfect humanity.  In today’s broken world, divided by race, politics and faith, God’s Word tells us that His love shown on the cross is what is needed to restore this world.

Christ came to this world in order that we may be called children of God through his sacrificial love on the cross.  When we truly understand this, it moves us beyond from knowing but becoming the love to those around us.  Let us love like Christ by being transformed in order to transform this world so that His Spirit allows us to see His will on earth as it is in heaven. 

PRAYER

Father, may we truly understand what it means to be called your child and the weight of that responsibility by bearing fruit for your kingdom.  Transform us by your love so that we can be a part of your redemption story in this broken world.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend."

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Tom Philip, Redeemer MTC, NJ

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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