1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear… I. THE CHARACTER OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. It is this filial spirit which forms all the beautiful and amiable traits in the Christian character. 1. It disposes the children of God to love Him with an ardent and supreme affection. 2. It disposes them to love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and to believe in Him alone for salvation. 3. It unites all the children of God to one another. 4. It is a spirit of grace and of supplication. 5. It disposes His children to obey all His commands. II. WHAT THEY DO NOT KNOW CONCERNING THEMSELVES IN A FUTURE STATE. 1. They are wholly unacquainted with the means by which they shall perceive either material or spiritual objects, after they have lost their bodily senses. 2. It is no less dark and mysterious how they will converse with one another, and with the heavenly hosts, after they leave these mortal bodies. 3. They must remain totally ignorant in this life, how they shall arrive in heaven, and how they shall move from place to place after they arrive there. III. WHAT THE CHILDREN OF GOD DO KNOW CONCERNING THEMSELVES IN A FUTURE STATE. 1. They do now know where they shall be hereafter. 2. They know in this world what manner of persons they shall be in the next. 3. They know that when they shall leave this present evil world, they shall be completely blessed.Lessons: 1. It appears from what has been said, that all the knowledge which Christians have of themselves in a future state, they wholly derive from Divine revelation. 2. We may learn from what has been said, why some Christians die in so much light and joy, and some in so much darkness and distress. 3. Christians may and ought to infer, from what has been said, the great importance of making their calling and election sure. 4. The preceding observations leave us no room be doubt, that death is always a happy event to the children of God. 5. This subject affords a source of great consolation to those who have been bereaved of near and dear Christian friends. (N. Emmons, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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