DAILY DEVOTION, Dec. 13, 23021

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him (1 John 3:2).

John is amazed by the love of God. Behold! Or “Wow!” God has bestowed His love on us, and what are we? Sinners who have found forgiveness and new life by the power of God’s love. We are children of God! Unbelievable! We who deserve to spend eternity separated from God are now called children of God. And we owe it all to Jesus, the Lamb of God who has removed our sins from us.

There is a downside to being a child of God. The world does not know us because it does not know Jesus. We are strangers, aliens often ridiculed and even persecuted in this world by those who do not know God. We are otherworldly, weird to those who have not bowed the knee in faith to Jesus. However, those who abide in faith will one day experience the wonders of heaven for all eternity. Is a bit of earthly pain worth it in comparison to what God has prepared for us? I think so!

Father God, we praise You continually for adopting us into Your family. We often do not act like children of God, and we are very sorry when we offend You. Thank You for Your amazing love revealed in Jesus. Thank You for bringing us safely into Your kingdom, forgiven. In His name, we pray, Amen.