Upper Loft Meditation - 1 John 3

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” - 1 John 3:2-3

“I want to be like Jesus,” said a young boy when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up.  Is this your response?

John sets forth two great truths here.  A present truth, we are the children of God NOW and a future truth, when Jesus returns we shall be like him.

If we hold this hope we purify ourselves.  What does this mean?

The contemporary definition of hope is one of being optimistic; the odds are in your favor, a strong possibility.  This is different from the Biblical view of hope, a present certainty of a future reality.  You can bet your life on it.

There are two meanings for “purify” in the New Testament, one is ceremonial, the outward appearance and the second meaning is used here of inward purity expressed in outward moral righteousness.

There are three key thoughts from this:

1. Becoming like Jesus is a work of the Spirit.  It is a process requiring your participation.  Central to this is the daily process of placing the Word of God in your heart, repenting of your sin, and doing the will of God.
2. Perfection is not possible this side of heaven.  But, because of the hope we have, we strive with the Spirit for His word of preparation in our lives.
3. The purifying process is part of our becoming like Jesus.  It is integral to seeing Jesus as he is and one day seeing that we are like him.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” - Matthew 5:8