Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, February 7, 2019

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-02-07-2019

This is devotional thought number 10 in our devotional series, “Stewarding the Heart.”

“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).

It is a testimony of God's love for us that He is willing to so identify Himself with us as to call us children. What does it take for us to get to that point? How are we to be called the children of God? "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12). We are not born with an automatic relationship as God's children. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6). God must draw us and we must accept this invitation to right relationship with Him to be born of the Spirit. It is then that we have the right to be called the children of God. What an esteemed position! We can be the children of the mightiest King of the whole universe. It almost seems like hyperbole to read what we don't understand now about what we shall be. What could be better than King’s kids?

When Moses went into the mount to commune with God, Exodus thirty-three records him asking that if God had found favor in him and God's people, that He would reveal Himself to Moses. God consented, but there was one stipulation. "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." (Exodus 33:20). God prepared a way for Moses, a holy man, to see all that he could possibly see of Himself and remain alive. Moses was a son of God, yet he could not see God in His fullness. "Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 56:5). Isaiah prophesied that God would give us a position that surpasses that of children. What makes the difference? How can God's children transition into being those who can see Him as He is?

John gives us a clue in (1 John 3:3). He states that those who have this hope purify themselves even as He is pure. As we maintain healthy intimacy with God through prayer, Bible study, worship, and Christian service we look forward to the consummation. When Jesus returns, and every eye sees Him, we, who are called His children, will be changed. “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). We will finally be able to see Him as He is. No longer will there be a separation. We will be changed!

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