1 John 3:3 (NLT)“And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”
As believers, there should be a family resemblance between us and our Heavenly Father. The more we walk with Him, the more His nature should become evident in our lives.
In today’s passage, the Apostle John tells us that everyone who has the hope of seeing Christ and becoming like Him purifies himself. In other words, the expectation of future glory produces present holiness.
Many people desire heaven but have little interest in holiness. Yet the Scriptures present the two as inseparable. Those who truly long for Christ’s appearing will progressively align their lives with His character.
This purification is not merely outward. It begins in the heart. It affects our thoughts, motives, desires, words, and actions. The believer asks questions such as: “Would this please the Lord?” “Does this reflect His nature?” “Is this consistent with who I am in Christ?”
As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He works within us to produce the character of Christ. The result is that people begin to see something different about us. They may not always understand it, but they will notice the family resemblance.
The world may not recognize us as God’s children because it does not know Him. However, our lives should bear witness to the reality of our relationship with Him.
As you go into today, remember that you are a child of God. Let your conduct reflect your heavenly Father. Let your hope in Christ’s return inspire you to pursue purity and become more like Him each day.
Prayer: Father, help me to reflect Your character in my daily life. Purify my heart and make me more like Jesus. Let others see Your nature at work in me.
Confession: I am a child of God. His life is at work within me. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I am becoming more like Christ every day.
— Abraham D. Arigi
