Read 1 John 3:1–10

Singer Bing Crosby had the public image of a family man, but after his death Crosby’s son Gary published Going My Own Way, which painted his father in a very different light. According to Gary Crosby, his father verbally abused his children and whipped them until he drew blood. He characterized the Crosby home as “a house of terror all the time.”

Not everyone has a good example of parenting. Even the best families are flawed. If we cannot look to our own family for a healthy role model for parenting, where can we turn? We can look to the Lord.

It is no accident that the Bible refers to God as our Father. This intentional language uses our common experience to enable us to understand what God is like. For instance, Jesus described God as Father to illustrate His willingness to give “good gifts” to His children (Matt. 7:11). Not every parent is naturally inclined to show compassion, but most consider it their obligation to meet the most basic needs of their children. If this is true of sinful parents, how much more must it be true of our Heavenly Father?

In today’s passage John tells us that God has shown us His love by making us His children. This status is a gift that has come to us through Jesus Christ. It brings with it the promise of transformation. Now that we are part of His family, God is reshaping us into the image of His Son (v. 2). This promise also places an obligation upon us. Since we are being changed in this way, it is reasonable to expect a family resemblance. As John puts it: “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (v. 3).

APPLY THE WORD

The call to purify ourselves implies that we are continuing to grow more like Christ. We should be characterized by truth and holy living. If you are frustrated with your current progress, take heart! You are still a child of God, beloved by your Father, and He will not give up on you until the work is complete (see Phil. 1:6).

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