“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3)
Our politically correct culture which commands tolerance of all religions and lifestyles no matter how bizarre or immoral maintains that all human being are children of God. Yet Saint John indicates that this is not so. Only those who have faith in Christ are members of His family and, as such, are entitled to be called children of God. They alone receive the gift of righteousness as well as an eternal inheritance. This means that we who have faith in Christ will be like Him. In the eternal Kingdom, we will possess glorious new bodies, free from pain, sickness and death.
In the light of this glory, we should live lives of purity, love and compassion. The Lord has called and chosen us to His instruments of grace on the earth, not because we are entitled to it by right or by works. Many people in our world think they will achieve eternal glory based not on God’s grace but because of their good works or just because they are entitled to it. They ignore sin, redefine it as goodness, or are entirely ignorant of it. It is our calling to warn them of the penalty of sin but also the grace and forgiveness found in Jesus alone so that they too may share in the eternal inheritance that God in Christ offers.
Our lives and our testimonies bear witness to the truth of the gospel and at the same time convict the people in the world of sin. So they hate us. Hatred is a negative emotion that is demonstrated by a desire to exalt self and abuse, use or hurt others. John likens it to murder because it usually is manifested by violence. Love, on the other hand, is a positive regard for other people, not just those who love us, not just our relatives and friends, but our enemies as well. Love is shown by self-sacrifice and taking care of the needs of others. Jesus manifested such love by dying on the cross. He expects us to do the same, but don’t worry: He also equips, enables, and works through us to carry out His commands.