Epistle Reading
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. Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the
law. And ye know that he was manifested to
take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him
sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Epistle Commentary
It is a special honor (and to our glory) to be called the "sons of
God". "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."
If they knew Him they would know us, but they don't know Him hence they
cannot recognize us as God's children.
The day will come however, when they see us in His glory, for the saints
on the Last day will judge and condemn all those who would not believe in
Christ. Yet "we shall see Him as He
is." We will forever see Him as our
gracious Savior who willingly gave His life for our salvation. Such is our hope. "And every man that hath this hope in
him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." Therefore we should not yield ourselves to
sin, for to return to our sinful ways is to again fall into slavery, the
bondage of the devil. Instead of this we
rejoice Jesus "was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no
sin." To live and abide in Christ
is to renounce sin, but to continue in sin is to not see Him.
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