"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." (1 John 3:1)
We rejoice in our "position" as, "children of God!" But along with this comes, "Therefore," the rejection from those who do, "not know Him." The word, "know," has the idea of "acknowledge, respect, love, or approve of us." It is also translated elsewhere as, "understand," or, "can speak." Some may say it is presumptuous to identify with the Living Triune God in such language. But John had no problem with this. His assertion is quite simple--- the world does not know us because they do not know Him. They won't acknowledge us, respect us, love us, approve of us, understand us, or speak to us, and all because we know Jesus Christ, and they don't. Some may question this, but I have no doubt that this applies to Believers and nonbelievers alike.
Over the years I have had people who do not "acknowledge, respect, love, approve of, understand," or who can speak to me. Okay, according to our text, this is understandable. Yet I have also experienced this in the Church, and it is a battle to discern who was missing God, the one who was not walking in Jesus Christ, not walking in the Holy Spirit. It is always good to pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart...." But our text gives new encouragement today. Do not walk in condemnation when people do not "acknowledge, respect, love, approve, understand," or won't speak to you. We all need to, "examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith," but anyone, "in the faith," in Jesus Christ, will not treat you as the world described in our text. They will talk with you, share with you. They will heed the command, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without which no one will see the Lord." Holiness is manifested in making, "every effort."
I encourage you today, however, to not let the latter part of our text rob you of the joy of the former part. Just continue to, "SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!"--- and so I am!------ and so you are!
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for a "devout and holy life" to be, "in the faith," approved of You, regardless of any other approbation. Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
