1 John 3:2 (NIV) Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 (AMP) Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we INTRODUCTION The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ (see Romans 8:29). This process will not be complete until we see Christ face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12; Philippians 3:21), but knowing that it is our ultimate destiny should motivate us to purify ourselves. To keep pure means to keep morally straight, free from the corruption of sin. God also purifies us, but there is action we must take to remain morally fit (see 1 Timothy 5:22; James 4:8; 1 Peter 1:22). [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL Recently, my sister erica texted me a baby picture of herself sandwiched between her two granddaughters' pictures. The three of them could have been triplets. Erica's daughter is glad her girls inherited their grandma's looks. I called Erica as soon as I saw the picture. "Girl, you've got some strong genes!" My own boys don't look much like me, or Scott, or each other. They are uniquely their own people. But one thing we all have in common is our sense of humor. Our "funny gene" has been passed down to the next generation. Our sons may not physically look like us, but the humorous way they look at life is an inherited family trait. Jesus's family traits are written on the hearts and in the behavior of everyone who follows Him. Loving kindness. Generous mercy. Outrageous generosity. Inexplicable power. Steady faithfulness. Extravagant grace. When Jesus adopted me into His family, forgiving my sins and showering me with His grace, His traits began to rub off on me. His love has changed my outlook on life. More than anything, I yearn for His strong genes to be evident in me. I want to be His look-alike. Susanna Foth Aughtmon Faith Step: Which of Jesus's family traits have started to rub off on you? Make a list and thank Him for the ways you resemble Him. [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] COMMENTARY New Name This morning I was reading about Jacob, Abraham's grandson, and how he wrestled with God. Jacob was one messed-up guy - a liar, deceiver, thief. He spent a good bit of his life carrying the weight of that identity. Imagine how amazing it was for Jacob when he finally quit wrestling with God and surrendered to his leadership. After that, the Bible tells us that God reached down and whispered these words: "Jacob, Jacob, you're no longer going to be identified as Jacob. I have given you a new name. You will now be called Israel" (Genesis 35:10). Like Jacob, my name used to be Shameful, Guilty, Liar, Thief, Prideful, Selfish, and more. I also wrestled with God, and I'm happy to say he won. God also reached down and whispered in my ear: "John, I have given you a new name. You will now be called Forgiven and Beloved Child of God." We all know that the best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or touched. They are felt by the heart. When we finally stop wrestling with God, when the struggle is over, we will be ready to hear him whisper to each of us, "I love you. I have given you a new name and a new identity. Come closer and I will tell you what you will now be called." Father God, thank you for liberating me from the shameful identity I once carried. I cherish the new name you have given me. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker] ILLUSTRATION You'll Get There During my last two years of high school, I attended church with one of my high school teachers, Mr. G., and his family. On more than one occasion, Mr. G. would listen to my teenage troubles and say, "Don't worry. You'll get there." After graduation I joined the navy and lost contact with Mr. G. for many years. During that time, I became an atheist and spent the next eighteen years totally apart from God. But no matter how bad things seemed, I would always hear Mr. G. saying, "Don't worry. You'll get there. Sometimes that was the only hope I had. Finally, in 1997. just when things couldn't have been worse, God began to reveal himself to me, and in January 1999, I placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Sometime later I began to understand how unlike Christ I was. It was then that I found 1 John 3:2 and realized that even though I'm not as much like Jesus as I want to be, there is coming a day when I will be. Then I remembered how Mr. G. would always say, "Don't worry. You'll get there." I was deeply moved. In my youth, I didn't know where "there" was, but I do now. When I find myself worrying about how slow my progress seems or how often I fail, I remember God's promise that when Christ appears in that moment - I will finally be there. Bea Kennedy, wife of Terry and mother of Aubrey, is a Sunday school teacher, an Awana leader, and the oldest daughter of third-generation Salvation Army officers. [The One Year Bible Live Verse Devotional] CLOSING THOUGHT God Will Finish What He Started in You God always finishes what he starts - and that includes shaping your character. God has been molding your character to be like his Sons. You were created to be like Christ. But heres the best part: God will complete what doesnt get finished in this life. Hell finish your character and bring you to perfection in heaven. The Bible says, I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6 ESV). That will be an amazing day! On that day, youll see Jesus face-to-face. Every neuron in your brain will go on overload. And youll be transformed to be like him. All your weaknesses will be gone. All your limps will be gone. All your failures and frailties will be gone. All your insecurities will be gone. You will be transformed into perfection that day. You will totally reflect the glory of God. Right now youre not what you ought to be. You are only a fraction of what you will be. But God says, Thats okay. Im taking my time. Im cheering you on at every stage. Just take every step with purpose, because one day Im going to finish what I began. And youre going to be changed instantly into my likeness. That will be a day like no other. The Bible describes that day like this: Dear friends, we are already Gods children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is (1 John 3:2 NLT). We have all stumbled in this race of life. All of us have struggled. But our race is not over. One day we will see Jesus face-to-face. And well never be the same again. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/ re Philippians 1:6] LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 2 Corinthians 3:18 - More and More Like Jesus! http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220825-0814.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/