1 John 3:1-3 - "God's Singular Love"

1 John 3:1-3

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

When we open the Scriptures and look upon these words in 1 John chapter 3, we are called to think upon God’s singular Love for His children—Love that springs from the Father and manifests itself toward those whom He has made His sons in Christ. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (v.1). This free-saving Love of the Father revealed in us as God's children, not as something earned, but bestowed. It is redeeming Love, objective Love, Love that looked upon sinners and purposed to save them by sending His Son to satisfy His law and justice.

This Love is hidden from the world. “Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (v.1). As we walk down the street or sit at a table among men, nothing of this singular Love appears to them. They know only earthly fathers and earthly cities. They knew Him not when His Son walked this earth; how would they recognize His Son in us now? Yet, we know the work of Grace that the Spirit of the LORD has done in our hearts because of Christ. The world may call one of God's children a nice person, but they cannot give the glory to God the Father, because they don't know Him. This is a hidden Love, a special privilege given to His children, even though concealed from others who are still in darkness and lost.

But there is also an aspect of this Love we cannot fully comprehend. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be” (v.2). In this fallen flesh, with many cares, we hardly appreciate even the earthly beauty of God’s creation. How then can we grasp the Spiritual Love of God for sinners in His Son? It will take transformation; it will take glorification. To be in the Presence of God forever is beyond our comprehension. Yet we know this: “When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (v.2). Not for anything in us, but because of Christ.

This Love gives Hope—the Hope of God in Christ, Who is our Hope (1 Timothy 1:1). We read in 1 Corinthians 13 of faith, hope, and love, yet the greatest of these is Love. Faith is needed now, and hope is needed now, because “we see through a glass dimly.” But when Christ comes again, hope will give way to sight. Love, however, will never fail. The greatest of these is Love because to know His Love, to be known of Him, and to love Him in return is the everlasting portion of His children. Though we cannot say that we love God as He deserves, we look to Christ, asking God to increase in our hearts that love for Him because of Who He is and what He has done for sinners such as we are.

Thus, “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (v.3). This purifying is not making oneself holy, but a setting apart unto Christ. Scripture uses this word in the sense of ceremonial washing, as in “purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9). It is a separating out from the works of the flesh, from the do’s and don’ts of legalism, and looking to Christ Alone. Hope causes the heart, by the Spirit of God, to look outside itself to Christ. That is the purifying. That is the washing of water by the Word.

Therefore, behold what manner of Love! Look with wonder and astonishment at this free Love, hidden Love, everlasting Love, and hopeful Love—the Love of God for sinners in His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. Our hearts are drawn back to the Fountain of all Grace: the sovereign, electing Love of God that has made us His children in Christ.