I Will Be Like Jesus
Continuing my meditations in the book of 1 John, the Holy Spirit focused the eyes of my heart on another important truth about who I am in Christ. By virtue of my union with Christ by faith, I am completely secure in Him. Not only has God saved me by His overwhelming grace, but He is also sanctifying me daily—setting me apart for Himself more and more—until the day I see Jesus face to face.
This morning, I found myself back in 1 John 3:2, but this time looking forward. “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we will be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” By meditating on this truth, the Spirit caused His peace to flood my soul, thus allowing me to rest in the promise of God to finish what He began in me by the powerful working of the gospel.
Following the pattern of previous posts, I asked myself three questions of the latter part of 1 John 3:2.
WHAT IS TRUE OF GOD? – God will complete His work of redemption in me. This is guaranteed! Though I must be integrally involved in my progress in holiness, the Spirit is ultimately responsible for the inside-out transformation. This verse is John’s version of Philippians 1:6, “And 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.”
WHAT IS TRUE OF ME? –God is right now, as my heavenly Father, lovingly and graciously disciplining my heart, mind, and life into the image of His Son (E.g. Rom 8:29). I will actually be like Jesus someday.
WHAT LIE(S) MUST I REPENT OF ? – The final fulfillment of my redemption is dependent ultimately on me. Yes, it is true that I am responsible to be obedient to the Spirit of God by submitting myself to the Word of God. However, the completion of my salvation, i.e. glorification is the Spirit’s work.
I must learn to rest in this glorious truth: Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, is not only the “author” (pioneer) of my salvation, but also the “finisher” (completer) [see Hebrews 12:2).
Previous Posts in this 1 John Series:
I Am a Child of God
I Am United to Jesus
I Am Already Accepted
