1
John 3:1; Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that
we should be called the children of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not,
because it knew Him not. KJV.
Behold,
the Greek word ĕidō pronounced I-do, means to see or perceive, or to
understand. When behold is cried out its often to catch attention. Here the
Apostle is saying behold in the past tense as to say Understand what is yours
already.
Manner,
the Greek word pŏtapŏs pronounced pot-ap-os, means of what possible sort.
So,
the apostle John here is saying to believers, Look, understand the not
understandable love of God that the Father has bestowed upon you. NOTE, he is
not saying this to unbelievers, he is speaking to believers. The behold being
in the past tense makes it something you already have. He must be speaking to
believers. Not only that the rest of the book of 1 John is written in a way
that you cannot mistake that he is writing to believers. For instance, before
this verse John says by the power of the Holy Spirit in chapter 2, switching to
ESV here; I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven
for his namesake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is
from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome
the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to
you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I write to you,
young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you
have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:12-14. These verses cover just about
every maturity level of the believer there is, it does not include unbelievers.
Now
that we have cleared up who the Apostle John was writing to, we can return to
what he is saying to the believers. Take note of what you have, take stock, know,
understand the unknowable love of God that he has given you, that we should be
called the children of God; and so we are. Emphasis mine. AND
SO WE ARE. Again, this is a done deal if you are born again, you have this
unsearchable, incomprehensible, Love of God. But unlike the song suggest it is far
from a reckless love. It is a predetermine sovereign act, a decree by the holy,
sovereign, almighty God.
The
world does not know you because they do not know him. They cannot understand
how you can be at peace when loved ones pass on. It’s because of the Love of
God. How can you be at peace when someone you love is in the hospital? It’s the
love of God. It is the reassurance that God loves us that keeps us going no
matter what is happening in our lives.
To
those who are believers you understand this unknowable love that only comes
from God, ask God to show you how to show it to others. Showing the love of God
to others is something we all could learn better, especially me.
To
those who don’t know the love of God and desire to. Seek him always while He
may be found and don’t stop until he gives you the assurance that you are saved.
This doesn’t mean that you are choosing Him, it means He has begun a good work
in you. SO, see it through.
As
always, May God have mercy on all who read this and the writer.
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