Dear Ones

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2

That first word 'Beloved'... in Greek it is Agapētos... It is term of great affection like darling or dear. Now we are the adult children (Teknon) of God. The is another Greek word for little children or babies. Teknon is a word that denotes real adult exchange and impartation.

In a real way we are princes and princesses although that image can conjure up Disney characters in our minds. We are not sons and daughters clothed in satin and pastels. We are not perfectly formed or behaved. Many of us do not break into song at the sight of an open meadow and blue birds do not follows us in graceful chirping little groups.

It does not yet appear what we are and will be. We do know we are adopted and each of us is incredibly special to God. So special and important that we are destined for greatness and transformation at the sight of the the One who saved us and made us this way.

"And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 1 John 3:3

It is this hope, the hope of the finished work of Christ, that makes us want to jump into the spiritual shower and be clean. Today is a great day like a wedding or a graduation. We have a dignity that makes us want to be clean. We want to brush our hair because it is picture day.

It is the hope that cleans us up. It is not vanity or self-importance it is dignity and the expectation of greatness.

Let the little girls wear their princess dresses and don their tiaras. We love to watch them swirl and sing in shiny little shoes. Enjoy the moment and think of it again when they are 13 or 14 because they will likely be singing a different song then.

It does not yet appear what they will be or what we will be. When we see Christ there will be great music and it will issue from our lips. He has assured us a clean, new glorious future. Today let us jump into the shower of that hope with expectation of what is to come.