1 John 3:1-6 Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not… I. THAT PRIVILEGES OF UNSPEAKABLE WORTH "NOW" BELONG TO THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. "Now are we the sons of God." II. THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THESE HIGH PRIVILEGES THEY ARE, WHILE IN THIS LOWER WORLD, SUBJECT TO TRIBULATION. "The world knoweth them not" — knoweth not their spirit, their character, their dignity. III. THAT PRIVILEGES OF A HIGHER ORDER AWAIT THE CHILDREN OF GOD IN A FUTURE STATE. "When He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." IV. THAT THOSE PRIVILEGES OF THEIR FUTURE STATE CANNOT BE FULLY REVEALED TO GOD'S PEOPLE ON EARTH. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be." V. THAT ALL THESE PRIVILEGES, PRESENT AND TO COME, FLOW FROM THE "LOVE" OF THE FATHER. "Behold, what manner of love!" VI. THAT EVERY MAN, THAT HATH THIS HOPE OF HEAVEN THROUGH THE LOVE OF THE FATHER, "PURIFIETH HIMSELF." (Samuel Roberts, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. |