1 John 3:1-3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
The Scripture is full of beautiful images of our Father’s love for us, and the invitation to enter into that great love. I want to highlight a couple of practical truths to you today to encourage you to grow in actual relationship with your loving Father.
Look – See: After writing to encourage the church in the great love of God, John makes a statement here in verse one calling us to look and “See what great love the Father has lavished on us”. I want to simply encourage you that if you want to grow in relationship with God, open your eyes to “SEE”. The Scripture is full of images of how He longs to love you. Here we see the truth that the Father has “lavished” love on us. Imagine that. Yes, think about that. Our Father gives deliberately, sacrificially, generously, his love to you. He takes you into his family. You are His child; you are sitting at His table. He is protecting, teaching and disciplining you. He loves you so much that He gave His Son’s life in exchange for you! Imagine that. Take a moment to interact with your Father in thanksgiving; be specific, imagine and appreciate all He has done.
Hope in Him: Now after seeing this truth in your mind, let hope fill you. Hope is the anticipation of good. You think on it, imagine it and expect it to come. His words are the banks of a river that carries the water of His life to you. There is a great increase of His water, His love coming your way. This “hope” sets your mind in the right direction, sanctifies your heart and deepens the river so that your actual relationship with God grows and increases.
Looking into the Scripture to find hope is a practice, a tool that your Father has given you to know Him better. Take the time to fill your mind with His presence by considering and obeying His word. He loves you and wants to grow in relationship with you!