“See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
1 John 3:1-3
The First Advent of Jesus Christ was focused on the love of the Father, the hate of the world, sin, righteousness, the children of Light, the children of darkness, the pure Son of God and the devil (1 John 3:4-10). The devil should be included in nativity scenes, lurking in the shadows of Bethlehem with the body of a dragon and the face of Herod. In a jealous rage Herod slaughtered all male children 2 years old and younger. This is right out of the playbook of Satan…genocide…whatever you can’t control and is a threat to your power and control ….steal, kill and destroy.
However, I want to simply focus on the Second Advent and 1 John 3:1-3 to bring into our view the framework and focus of hope in the midst of our journey, spiritual warfare and adversity! Check out the simple profound truths that are embedded in the rock of God’s word…
1. As children of God, we are currently being loved PERFECTLY by the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! No matter how difficult or disappointing your current relationship(s) may be…the simple truth is YOUR truest and deepest needs are being considered, quantified and satisfied by the Spirit of God the Father (v1a).
Rejoice and Receive His Love Now!
2. The world is trying to build your ‘avatar’ through an algorithm. Your likes, dislikes, shopping trends, reading habits…what we surf on the NET can become a NET and TURF that the devil uses to entangle us and crowd out pure and simple devotion to Jesus. However, the truth is your new/divine nature from the nature of Jesus is not penetrable or knowable…it is this nature we must cultivate into mature love and godliness. God’s knowledge of you trumps the limited intelligence the demonic or world may have on you! The world underestimated Jesus and the very tool of crucifixion became the ultimate instrument of love, releasing forgiveness and reconciliation to the Father, the destruction of the devil, the victory of the resurrection and the hope of His return. (v1b)
Submit to God, break out of the mold of the world, Resist the devil and he will flee!
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The resurrection of Jesus is the best forecast of what you and your future looks like! Horoscopes, endless self-help/enhancement books, body modifications, pills, potions, oils etc., will never provide genuine confidence. The best version of yourself will only be realized at the resurrection. When our faith is replaced with the Epiphany of Jesus Christ at His Second Advent, we shall become in that moment similiar to Him. We will be freed from evil, death, sickness and failure for all eternity! This is your future. (v2)
Lift up your head, your Redemption draws near!
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Hope in Jesus is the most powerful moral, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual cleansing agent in the known universe! Biblical Hope builds a Highway of Holiness to immediately access the resources of Heaven’s Throne of Grace and Mercy in time of need. Condemnation builds a mote around a castle of darkness and despair. Healing Hope is like the leukocytes (white blood cells) in our blood. WBC’s are the cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. Hope attacks despair, disappointment, doubt, unhinged anger, strife, fear…the list could go on and on! Have you ever said to yourself, “ When I grow up I want to be like him/her?” ‘Confident expectation’ built on the character of God and His word best defines hope. As the beloved in Christ we don’t embrace ‘luck’ or ‘wishful thinking’ to navigate the disappointments or triumphs of life. The hope of the child of God is an anchor that is fastened in the heavens, in the throne room of God Himself…and this anchor will hold fast in any raging storm! We can grow up, change, and transition to a higher level and quality of living by EXCLUSIVELY putting our trust and hope in the Pure One!
Are you dirty? Do you feel soiled by this world? Are you battle weary? Are you in a job above or below your pay grade? Has love in and around you evaporated like a dried up reservoir? Do you think nobody really ‘sees’ or ‘knows, you?
Let us bow down on our knees, humble ourselves before the Father….Take courage and receive a fresh impartation of hope and love from the Spirit of God. You are perfectly loved, you belong to the family of God, you are known deeply, your potential will in truth be realized…your are pure as the white driven snow of Christmas and your future is filled with an ultimate transformation likened unto the resurrection of our coming Lord Jesus Christ.
“5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us…13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:5; 15:13)
Christ in you, the Hope of Glory
-The Apostle Paul
(Please Share with others who may need some hope and encouragement)
