See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 ESV
To often I forget that God has made me pure. Jesus’ death paid the price for my sin and I am free from eternal torment. Oh what wonderful love this is! While I am free from sins penalties, I should strive to live a righteous life for the LORD.
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:10-11 ESV
It is important for me not just to love God, but also to love my brother and my neighbor as myself. In fact, these are the two greatest commandments I have been given. I am to love others, even when I don’t feel like it, because it is what God wants me to do. When I walk in God’s righteous ways and am saved by Christ, I no longer wear the filthy rags of my sin, but am instead clothed in Christ’s righteousness.
And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” Zechariah 3:4 ESV
Zechariah 3 tells the famous vision of Joshua’s dirty robes. Just as Joshua’s dirty robes were taken away and Satan’s accusations were silenced, so mine dirty robes were removed and the accusations against me silence. Christ’s sacrifice removed even the dirties fabrics of the clothes and put me in shining, clean robes, fit for His service,
Dear God, thank You for send Jesus so I could be clothed in His righteousness. Please help me love my brother and neighbor as myself, just as I have been called to do. Thank You for Your Grace. In Your Holy Name, Amen.
Nathanael (nborger2017)
Sixty-six books in a year 