“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.” – 1John 3:2
LIGHT FOR NOW: The divine nature is both a present reality and a future hope. We are already God’s children, and every day we are growing into the full expression of who we already are in Christ.
One of the greatest errors believers make is postponing everything God has accomplished until the future. Many speak as though sonship is something they will one day attain. But the Apostle John corrects this misunderstanding with one powerful word: “Now”. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God…” Notice that John does not say, “One day we shall become the sons of God”. He says, “Now”. Sonship is not a future reward; it is a present reality. The moment you believed in Christ, you were born of God; you became His child; you became a partaker of His divine nature. This is your present identity.
Yet John immediately adds: “And it doth not yet appear what we shall be”. This does not mean believers are uncertain of their salvation. Rather, it means the full glory of what God has accomplished in us has not yet been completely manifested. Today, the divine life is hidden within earthen vessels. The world sees ordinary people; but heaven sees sons and daughters of God. Just as a seed contains within itself the life of a mighty tree, the believer already possesses within him the life that will one day be fully revealed. John then says: “But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him…” This is the believer’s blessed hope.
The work God began in us at the new birth will one day reach its complete manifestation. Paul expresses the same truth when he says: “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. God never abandons what He begins. The divine nature implanted at regeneration is not temporary; it is eternal. It continues to shape us throughout this life and will reach its consummation when Christ appears. John explains why: “For we shall see him as he is”.
Throughout the Scripture, beholding brings transformation. Moses beheld God’s glory, and his face shone. We behold Christ in the Scriptures, and we are transformed from glory to glory. One day, we shall behold Him in unveiled glory, and our transformation will be complete. This gives believers tremendous confidence. Our present struggles are not the end of the story. Our weaknesses are not our final condition. Our imperfections are not our eternal identity. The Father has destined every believer to be conformed to the image of His Son. This is why the Christian life is filled with hope. We are not merely looking back to the cross. We are also looking forward to the fullness of redemption.
The divine nature we now possess is the guarantee of the glory yet to come. Until that day, believers are called to live consistently with who they already are. We do not walk in holiness to become God’s children. We walk in holiness because we already are God’s children. The future glory motivates present faithfulness. The certainty of what we shall become strengthens us to walk in obedience today. Never allow your present limitations to make you forget your eternal identity. You are already God’s child. You already possess His life. And one day, the whole creation will witness the full manifestation of what the Father has accomplished in you through Christ. Hallelujah!
INSTRUCTION: Live today with the dignity of a child of God. Let the certainty of your future glory inspire present holiness, hope, and perseverance.
CONFESSION: Father, thank You that I am Your child now through Jesus Christ. Thank You for the divine nature You have placed within me and for the glorious future You have prepared for me. Help me to live each day in the light of who I already am and in joyful expectation of the glory yet to be revealed, in Jesus’ name, Amen. Glory!
For More Light; get the message, “Now we are in Christ” by Dr. John Linus
QUOTE: The new birth gives the believer a new identity today and guarantees a glorious destiny tomorrow.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 1JOHN CHAPTER 3; EVENING: PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 1:3-11
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 