God is Love

Day: 38

Text: 1 John 3

Introduction-

Historically, the title “Children of God” was seen as exclusive to the nation of Israel, leaving the rest of humanity as outsiders. However, 1 Peter 2:10 reveals that through Jesus, an open invitation is extended to all. This identity is not a biological right, but a divine gift of grace bestowed upon those who receive Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Because this status is a privilege rather than an earned right, it carries a weight of responsibility, dedication, and faithfulness. Scripture suggests that righteousness is not static; as Ezekiel 33:14-20 indicates, this identity requires a continuous commitment to God’s ways. 

This transformation, I described as “rebranding and repackaging“—replaces our fallen nature with a new identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Much like a total makeover that renders the old self unrecognizable, we are continually reshaped from “glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) to reflect God’s nature and fulfill the ministry of reconciliation. 

Life Lessons – 1

1. Unconditional Love: A Universal Invitation

• Agape is the purest form of love; a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional affection that originates from the Divine nature of God. Unlike human love, which often changes based on feelings or circumstances, this love is an unchanging – it’s constant. 

• A Gift Beyond Merit: This love is a precious gift that cannot be earned through good behavior or performance. It is lavished upon all humanity regardless of their past or present status. 
• This invitation destroys all barriers – It is an open door to every person, standing beyond the borders of religion, country of origin, race, or social standing.
• Invitation to Transformation: Accepting this love isn’t just about feeling comforted; it is a transformative experience. It reshapes how you see yourself and empowers you to extend that same grace to everyone you meet, (a call to duty) viewing others through eyes of love rather than judgment.
• A Legacy of Unity: Romans 2:11 – By recognizing that everyone is equally invited to this love, we begin to see humanity as one family under a single source of life. 

Life Lessons – 2

2. Identity: From Creation to Kinship

Moving from being a creation to a child is a fundamental shift in status and nature. 

• You have been spiritually reborn, not just upgraded or promoted.
• The Holy Spirit acts as our internal governor and nature-changer. This is not just about a label; it’s about a genetic transformation of the spirit that empowers us to reflect the Father’s character (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• Having this understanding and knowing that we are legally adopted into God’s family, allows us to walk with confidence, leaving behind false worldly labels (Romans 1:16). 

Life Lessons – 3

3. Responsibility and Future Hope: The Mirror Effect

Being born again comes with the mandate to represent the Family Name – God’s Family (The Christian Family) until Jesus returns. 

• Our responsibility: Our lives are a living sacrifice. We represent Christ through our words, clothes, and lifestyle, and aiming to show the world what He is like (Because the World does not know Him); we shall be like Him.
• Future Expectation: The ultimate goal is to be like Him. When Christ returns, the transformation that began in our spirits will be completed in our entire being.
• We are currently in training to be like Him; Practicing the sacrificial love and humility, we will be presented perfect when He returns. 

Life applications – 1

God’s Love is Divine and Unconditional – The chapter begins by highlighting and laying great emphasis on the lavished nature of God’s love, which serves as the foundation for the believer’s relationship with Him. 

• Grace Precedes Effort: Unlike worldly achievements where you work to earn a degree, God’s righteousness (degree) is awarded at the start. You don’t work for your status; you work from and through it.
• The Mandate to Love: A primary charge to the believer, is the command to love one another. This love is modeled after God’s unconditional love (Agape love) and Christ’s sacrificial example of laying down His own life for us – Everywhere He went, He was doing good.

Life applications – 2

Transformed by the renewal – When we give our lives to Christ, God’s love is bestowed on us immediately; a miraculous transformation has taken place because we have now transitioned from being creations of God to become children of God.

• Legal Status vs. Personal Growth: The moment you believe and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your legal standing as a child of God is instant and final (you’re issued a certificate to commence), however, your transformation into His likeness is a lifelong process.
• A New Identity: Just as a marriage changes your name and status in the eyes of the world, your union with Christ also marks you as a new creation, even while you are still learning the lessons.
• Conviction, Not Condemnation: Mistakes are part of the classroom experience (We may fall into sin sometimes in the process of maturing; but, it’s not a license to dwell in it). The Holy Spirit uses conviction to guide us back to forgiveness, perfecting our nature over time rather than revoking our status – that’s if we truly repent and forsake it.
• God’s Divine Sovereignty: The world may not understand how someone imperfect like David can be a man after God’s heart, but that’s the mystery of God’s sovereign love and grace. 
• As believers, we are not merely creations but are legally and spiritually adopted into the family of God as His children – this identity is divine in nature and unusual. It’s empowered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – We now have the DNA of God (The Holy Spirit) so to speak; we, people who have not known each other and have not shared a biological connection, now have become brothers and sisters in Christ – Too much for the WORLD to understand.
• The world would not readily accept this new life, because it does not know Christ; Therefore, we must prove it by living a life that testify and affirm the Jesus in us.

Life Application – 3

Ethical Responsibilities: As born-again Christians, we are called to a life of righteousness and purity. This involves a decisive break from habitual sin (Lawlessness) and commit to a life that reflects God’s (Christ’s) character. [If any man be in Christ he is a new creation (identity) then why do the believer still sin?]

• Practical Christianity: True faith is demonstrated through tangible action rather than mere talks. True and Authentic Christian living is defined by deeds and living a true practical-Christlike life in our daily interactions – James 2:18
• Eternal Hope in Christ: The passage also provides: 

• A forward-looking hope to Christ’s return, 
• Believers’ transformation: We will undergo a final transformation to be like Christ; seeing Him in His full glory – this required purity.

Key word of the Day:

The lessons of today indicated that the Christian hope is not just a future wish, but a transformative journey to become like Christ; as we await His return; the promise that we will one day share in His glory serves as a profound motivation to pursue holiness and purity in our daily lives.

 May God help us, in Jesus’ Name – Amen!

Complied by:  Charles Kretsi