Introduction: The older we get, the more we struggle with the body in which we live. Our speed has slowed down. Our memory is like a Teflon-coated pan: nothing sticks any more. Our muscles are shrinking. Our pain is increasing. Our shape is changing. If you don’t know what I am talking about, one day you will.
As Christians, we have hope of getting a new body. Our text this morning deals with that very thing. Read 1 John 3:1-3.
Transition: Each of these three verses teach us a truth relating to our future hope that God wants us to ponder.
The first truth relating to our future hope is that
1. Believers are the Sons of God (v.1)
A. The verse opens with the word “Behold”.
(1) Behold is a command to see, to know factually, to perceive, to inspect something or to be acquainted with something.
(2) It is far more than just a casual glance.
B. The verse goes on to tell us what we are to behold.
(1) We are to behold the manner of love the Father has given to us. God’s love for us is not just empty words.
(2) John told us of this love in his Gospel. (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God, in love, gave his Son to die in our place so that we, by faith in his payment, can escape the everlasting punishment our sin deserves and receive everlasting life instead.
(3) John’s Gospel also states in (John 1:12) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.“
(4) It is on this truth that John builds in our text. God’s desire for every sinful person is that he would repent of his sin and place his trust in Christ’s payment in order that God can call him (or her) His child.The word “sons” in our text refers to children of both genders.
(5) The world cannot understand God and his ways, and that is the reason the world cannot understand true Christians and their ways. True Christians are new creations spiritually. (2 Corinthians 5:17) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The Spirit of God now lives inside of them, helping them to live godly lives. (Galatians 5:16) “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.“
(6) It is amazing that God loves us so much that He is willing to make every repentant believer His child.
The second truth relating to our future hope is that
2. Sons of God have a Future Hope (v.2)
A. Now are we the sons of God.
(1) True Christians are part of God’s “beloved” family.
(2) He emphasises that we are NOW the sons of God. That is not just a future relationship, we are part of God’s family right now, even though we still live on this earth.
(3) John adds, “and it doth not yet appear what we shall be.” Though God’s children, we are still living in our tent (i.e., this temporary body that is weak, sickly, tired, emotional, sorrowful, and full of pain). We do not yet know what life in heaven with God will be like.
(4) A few years later, John wrote in the book of Revelation these encouraging words. (Revelation 21:4) “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Okay, we know these hardships will be forever gone, but what will our bodies be like? That is still somewhat of a mystery.
B. One day we shall be like Christ.
(1) Note that John said, “but we know”. The word translated “know” is the same word translated “behold” in verse 1. It expresses factual knowledge. What is it that we know? John tells us, “when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Jesus promised to come again to take believers to be with him for all eternity. (John 14:2-3) “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.“
(2) Now John assures us that when Christ comes, and we see him, we will be like him. We will not become a god; we will receive an immortal body like his. Paul wrote of this. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (Philippians 3:21) “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.“
(3) Being resurrected and receiving a new body free from the pains of this life is our blessed hope!
The third truth relating to our future hope is that
3. All who have this Hope are Living Pure (v.3)
A. Sadly, not every Christian has that hope.
(1) By that I do not mean it will not happen to every Christian. Rather, I mean, that hope is not a reality to many Christians.
(2) We may know the fact, but we fail to focus daily on the reality. It is just one of the things we know is supposed to happen.
B. John is here addressing a select group.
(1) He is addressing all those who live moment by moment in the reality of the hope of resurrecting and receiving a body like Christ’s.
(2) John did not command that we have this hope, he simply addressed those who are having this hope. Day by day, they are looking forward to seeing Christ and receiving their immortal body. Of those who are hoping in Christ, he said, they are purifying themselves, even as Christ is pure. The Bible records the reaction of some who saw a glimpse of God’s glory and holiness. Jacob said, “How dreadful is this place.” Isaiah cried, “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips.” Others reacted in similar fearful ways.
(3) When a Christian truly longs to be with and like Christ, he will live a pure life in anticipation of meeting Christ, who is spotlessly pure. He lives every day as if Christ may come for house inspection at any moment.
(4) Does that describe the way you live? Are you seeking to live a pure life in thought, in what you watch, in how you speak, and in how you act? If not, then you do not really have the hope of which John speaks.
(5) If we truly have the hope of meeting Christ in the air and receiving a new immortal body, we will actively be seeking to live pure lives in preparation for meeting him at any moment.
Conclusion: If you have repented of your sins and trusted Christ alone to save your soul, you are a beloved child of God right now. Though we do not know what our immortal bodies will be like, it is our hope (i.e., steadfast assurance) that when Christ appears, we will see him and receive a new body like his. Daily, we ought to live pure lives in anticipation of meeting Christ.
If you are not positive that Christ has saved you, that is where you must begin. I am happy to talk with you.
If you do know Christ, these verses ought to be a comfort and a challenge to you. If your life is not as pure as it ought to be, now is the time to confess your sins to the Lord and seek his help in making needed changes.
