1 John 3:1 AMP
“See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”
There is a connection between God’s love and the gift of His Spirit to believers in His Son, Jesus. God’s love was demonstrated first by giving His Son, Jesus, to die for mankind (Rom 5:8; 8:32), and second by giving His Spirit to all believers, that He might abide with them forever (Joh 14:16-17). In our text of reference, Apostle John exclaimed at the quality and magnitude of God’s love in permitting us to be called children of God. Put in context, it is important to distinguish between being a child of God and a creature of God. What’s the difference?
To be a child of God, one must believe in Jesus and be given the right to be called so (Joh 1:12), and be spiritually born again of the Spirit through the incorruptible seed of God’s word (Jam 1:18; 1 Pet 1:23). Indeed, being a child of God is a spiritual heritage and privilege in Christ Jesus, with blessings and benefits beyond the natural and earthly. Yes, though one’s physical stature does not change, “…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” (2 Cor 5:17 KJV). Hallelujah! While the light of the revelation of Jesus Christ was ‘dim’ in the Old Testament, He was still central to the belief of the Old Testament saints.
Their obedience to God, through sacrifices, offerings, and feasts, was their faith in Christ (Heb 11:25-26)—much as “…none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect [in Christ]” (Heb 11:39-40 NIV). Hallelujah! Child of God, the Scripture says, “…and because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts…” (Gal 4:6 NLT)! That said, we cannot afford to live without the consciousness of our sonship in Christ, especially when it comes to maintaining a vibrant fellowship with the Holy Spirit—whom the Father has gladly given to also live in our hearts. Hallelujah!
Pst. Emmanuel