Hope in Jesus Purifies

I'm looking at I John 3:1-10 right now, and a couple of things are really jumping out to me. First, look at the 3:1-3.

1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

I have seen this verse a few times lately, and it really intrigues me. First, just sitting back for a second to say with John -- Wow! Can you believe that we are children of God! We certainly didn't deserve it, but look at the love God has given to us (verse 1). Then, in verse 2, he points out that not only are we God's children now, look at what's ahead. We'll see Jesus and we'll be like Him. Then, what really grabs my attention is verse 3 -- HOPE IN JESUS PURIFIES! Meditate on this for a moment. Everyone who hopes in Jesus purifies himself as Jesus is pure. A few weeks back we discussed how God wants all of our love. He is great and he demands that our love for him be great (see I John 2:15-17; Matthew 10:37-39; 22:37-38). Now, John is dealing with hope. So, continuing our pattern of heart examination:

* What are you hoping in?
* What are your dreams for your future?
* What are your goals in this life?

I need to be reminded everyday just how awesome of a gift God has given me through Jesus. I'm so tempted by the world around me to be be short-sighted and get caught up in the here and now. This is why I need God's Word so desperately (Rom 12:2) along with guidance from the Spirit and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I need to look at verses like I Cor 1:9, which says "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him". Sin seeks to deceive me into trading what God has for me for it's short-lived pleasure.

This has been very convicting. If you read verse 4-10 of chapter 3, you'll see John reiterate that if we are born of God, we will not continue in sin. And one of the reasons why is that a child of God desires God. Scripture says that I've been given eyes to see what a gift God has given me! But what a fight it is to keep my heart, my affections and my hopes in the right place.

Let me know what you guys think. Interested in your thoughts....

In Christ,
Craig