1 John 3:1-3
1 See 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. 2 Beloved, 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. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Why bother trying to be pure? Let's be honest: purity is difficult and bothersome. So why do it? Verse 3 gives us an answer: "Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure". In other words, purity is our goal because God is pure, and God is our goal. We should try to imitate God, which means being pure. It is not about missing out on something good that others get to enjoy. It is about choosing the better path, the path which leads to God and His character.
Lord, help me to be pure as You are pure.
1 See 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. 2 Beloved, 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. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Why bother trying to be pure? Let's be honest: purity is difficult and bothersome. So why do it? Verse 3 gives us an answer: "Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure". In other words, purity is our goal because God is pure, and God is our goal. We should try to imitate God, which means being pure. It is not about missing out on something good that others get to enjoy. It is about choosing the better path, the path which leads to God and His character.
Lord, help me to be pure as You are pure.