“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…” – 1John 3:1
LIGHT FOR NOW: The Father’s love is not ordinary love. It is a love that elevates sinners into sons and brings strangers into His family.
John was a man deeply captivated by the love of God. Throughout his writings, one truth continually emerges: the Father loves His children with a love beyond human comprehension. As John contemplates this reality, he suddenly bursts forth with amazement: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us…” The word “behold” is an invitation to stop, look, and meditate. John is essentially saying: “Pause for a moment”. “Think about this”. “Do not rush past this truth”. Many believers become so familiar with the language of God’s love that they lose their sense of wonder. Yet the gospel should never cease to amaze us. The phrase “what manner of love” comes from a Greek expression that literally carries the idea of something foreign, extraordinary, or from another realm.
John is saying that the Father’s love is unlike anything found in this world. It is not merely a larger version of human love. It is divine love; Heavenly love; a love originating from the very heart of God. This explains why the gospel often appears foolish to the natural mind. Human love generally operates on merit. People love what benefits them. They love what attracts them. They love what seems worthy. But the Father’s love operates differently; He loved sinners, He pursued rebels, He redeemed the undeserving. This is not natural love; this is divine love. John then reveals the result of this love: “…that we should be called the sons of God”. Notice again that God’s goal was not merely forgiveness; it was family. The Father could have simply forgiven humanity and left them at a distance, but His love desired something greater relationship, intimacy, and sonship. This has always been the Father’s plan.
When God created Adam, He desired fellowship. When sin entered, fellowship was broken. But through Christ, fellowship has been restored. The cross therefore does more than remove guilt. It opens the door back into the Father’s house. One of the greatest revelations a believer can receive is that salvation is not merely a legal transaction; it is a relational restoration. The Father does not merely declare believers righteous; He welcomes them as children. This is why Jesus consistently spoke of God as Father. His mission was not only to save humanity from sin. His mission was also to reveal the Father. In fact, one could summarize the ministry of Jesus this way: He came to bring many sons unto glory; every miracle, every teaching, and every act of mercy. All pointed ultimately toward the Father’s heart. John then adds something remarkable in many translations: “And that is what we are”.
In other words, sonship is not merely symbolic; it is real; it is not merely a title; it is an identity. The believer truly belongs to the Father. This truth should affect every area of life. When temptation comes, remember whose child you are. When fear comes, remember whose child you are. When discouragement comes, remember whose child you are. When the enemy accuses you, remember whose child you are. Identity produces stability, and stability grows from understanding the Father’s love. The more believers meditate on the Father’s love, the more secure they become. The more secure they become, the more freely they worship. The more freely they worship, the more deeply they walk with God. This is because everything in the Christian life flourishes in the atmosphere of the Father’s love.
INSTRUCTION: Spend a few moments today simply marveling at God’s love. Do not rush to the next task. Take time to “behold” the wonder of being called His child.
CONFESSION/PRAYER: Father, thank You for the extraordinary love You have bestowed upon me through Christ. Help me never to lose my wonder at Your grace. May the reality of being Your child shape the way I live every day. Amen.
For More light; get the message, ‘The Love of God’
QUOTE: The greatest miracle of grace is that those who were once far from God can now call Him Father.
DAILY READING: MORNING: 1JOHN CHAPTER 3; EVENING: HEBREWS CHAPTER 2:9-18
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 