Eager Expectation

Scripture: 1 John 3: 2b-3 “…But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.  And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure”

 

Observation:  We are like whom we behold – and as we behold Jesus in increasing measure (i.e. as our relationship with Him grows in intimacy & maturity), our nature will become more Christlike and we will become more like Him.  That means our sin nature will diminish and our God Nature will increase in expectation that the work He is doing in us He will bring to completion!!!  It’s like an ever-increasing spiral of growth, a growth in momentum as well!  It starts with knowing we will be like Him, beholding Him (intimacy), eagerly expecting this, we will keep ourselves pure, thereby becoming more like Him, thereby increasing in expectation, and so on. Greater intimacy with Christ breeds a greater desire to be like Him (to keep ourselves pure), which increases our excitement at the thought of seeing Him face to face.  As we grow in intimacy, as we behold Him more & more, we become more like Him because the things of this world seem so much less important.  Sin drops away.  Excitement & anticipation to behold the Lord increases.

 

Application:  How exciting is the Christian life!!!  After that initial encounter of freedom in Christ, I am motivated to look to Jesus more & more to allow Him to do more & more in my life that sin might no longer hold its appeal (I will keep myself pure) and I will become more like Him.  I do look forward with eager anticipation to the day I will literally behold Him face to face, but here & now my desire to please Him can only grow as I allow intimacy with Him to outwork in my life, both through sin losing its appeal & through an increase in compassion and love for others.  The Father knew I could never do it on my own – impossible! – But He’s given me the way – the Holy Spirit within.  But as Holy Spirit’s life in me increases, I experience an increase in excitement & motivation…….Christianity is NOT boring!!!

 

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thankyou that, as I behold Your Son, I become more like Him.  Thankyou Jesus that, as I become more like You, my eager expectation to see You grows and that’s what motivates me to keep myself pure – in turn becoming more like You!! When I am tempted to sin, Lord, help me to remember to look again into Your wonderful face, to behold You again in intimacy, that keeping myself pure might be an exciting adventure with You as my priorities are re-aligned with Yours.  I so look forward to literally seeing You face-to-face, but, Lord, in the meantime, I thank You that my excitement & anticipation can only grow as I walk in increasing intimacy with You day-by-day.

 

In Jesus’ Name

 

Amen.

 

Sue Otto