1 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. 2 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. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3 KJV)
The Command to Love
The apostle here magnifies the love of God in our adoption (1 John 3:1-2). He then argues for holiness (1 John 3:3) and against sin (1 John 3:4-19). He urges brotherly love (1 John 3:11-18), explains how to reassure our hearts before God (1 John 3:19-22), gives the command of faith (1 John 3:23), and highlights the blessing of obedience (1 John 3:24).
Having shown the dignity of Christ’s followers—that they are born of him and thereby closely united to God—the apostle now expresses wonder at the grace that makes this possible: “See what great love the Father has given us, that we should be called God’s children!” (1 John 3:1). The Father adopts all who belong to the Son. The Son calls them and makes them his brothers and sisters, thereby granting them the privilege of being God’s children. It is amazing love from the eternal Father that people like us—naturally sinful and guilty—should be made and called his children. It is remarkable that the holy God is not ashamed to be called our Father or to call us his sons and daughters.
Therefore, the world does not recognize believers: “The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him” (1 John 3:1). The world does not perceive the honor and happiness of true Christians. They may suffer like everyone else—or even more so—and seem lowly and overlooked. But this is not surprising, since their Lord was also unknown and rejected by the world. He came to his own, and his own did not receive him (John 1:11). If they had known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8). So believers can accept being strangers here, for their Lord was treated the same way.
The apostle then lifts up these faithful followers by reminding them of the future revelation of their true identity. “Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed” (1 John 3:2). Believers are already children of God by new birth and adoption, but the fullness of what that means is not yet visible in this life. That glory is reserved for the next world, and we are called to walk by faith and live by hope.
“But we know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). When Christ returns, those who belong to him will be revealed in their true glory alongside him. Just as the creation waits for the manifestation of the children of God (Romans 8:19), so too do the children themselves wait for Christ’s return. Their transformation will reflect the glory of their Savior: their bodies will be made like his glorious body, filled with light and life (Philippians 3:21). “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).
Their likeness to Christ will come from seeing him as he truly is. While all will see him, only the righteous will see him in the beauty of his holiness. The wicked will see his majesty in judgment, but the redeemed will see him in glory and grace. This sight will either result from their likeness or will be the very cause of it—it will be a transforming vision, as they are changed into his image by the beauty they behold.
“Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). Believers know their Lord is holy and pure and will not admit anything impure into his presence. Those who hope to dwell with him must seek holiness. Their hope leads them to grow in grace and purity. Their new nature urges them toward righteousness, and their hope for heaven drives them to prepare for it. Knowing their High Priest is holy and that their heavenly inheritance is among the saints in light, they strive to live accordingly. To indulge in sin while claiming such a hope is a contradiction. True hope leads to holiness. As we are saved by hope, we must also be purified by it. Hypocritical hope makes room for sin, but the hope of God’s true children produces purity.