Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, September 18, 2016

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We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.

Today’s Scripture Focus: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:1–3).

There were a group of believers in the mountains of WV with whom I used to worship once per month. They once told me that another small group with whom they periodically interacted attempted to convince them of a strange belief that we would not actually see God, even in heaven. I thought it was the strangest controversy considering the fact that the only reason we are now separated from our God is sin. Also, the reason He gave us His only begotten Son was to restore this privilege of being together again.

John, the one for whom Jesus had a special love, has so much to say about the love of God. John welcomes us to take a deep, meditative look into the special love the Father has toward us. Taking into account the fact that we all were born in sin and shaped in iniquity, it is of particular interest to me that God would love me so much. Paul said that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. In spite of our severe sin impediment, our Father loves us. In spite of the fact that we human beings, even many who profess to love Him, actually show disdain for His love efforts, and live contrary to its' compelling power, God loves us. Many of us do not have a sense of belonging. Many have not experienced the blessing of a father's unconditional love. So, for God to love us in the way John described and to actually enfold us into His family to call us His children; this is unbelievable. Earthly parents often are ashamed to claim or embrace wayward children. But our heavenly Father is not. And, of Jesus the Bible says, “For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin, and so he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 2:11, NET).

Thus it is that our Father loves us. Thus it is that Jesus, the Son, loves us. If God is not ashamed to adopt us into His family, and Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters, it stands to reason that when Jesus returns, we will enjoy full fellowship with our Father and Jesus. The Bible says,
“For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]” (1 Corinthians 13:12, AMP). Our Father's name will be written, as it were, on our foreheads. “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1). We will actually see the face of the One whose name is written on our foreheads. “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4).

I look forward to the day when I can see my Father who loves me and my Savior who surrendered His life, all for you and for me. Soon, and very soon, we will be fully united with God and be able to look into His tender gaze, nevermore to be apart. Amen.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)