The Most Excellent Way
Great Love – Part 1

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:1-10

Key Verse: 1 John 3:1

 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

You and I are children of God.  I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the awesomeness of that simple statement.  I recently met the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Alveda King.  I found my mind imagining growing up with Dr. King, as well as Alveda’s dad; their fight for civil rights and all that they experienced in those early days.  Maybe you have a highly respected person that you’ve wondered what it would be like to grow up in their household.

I wish we could appreciate our privileged relationship with the God of the Universe.  I wish we wouldn’t take for granted the fact that we get to “grow up” in His family.  John the beloved apostle didn’t miss this marvelous fact: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.”  John goes on to remind us of “that day” when our faith becomes sight and we shall see Him as He is.

It’s hard to see Him as He is now.  We try to grasp His greatness.  We have theological terms such as omnipotence (all powerful); omnipresent (everywhere at all times); or omniscient (all wise), but do we really get it?  We are children of Almighty God!  Yes, His love has been lavished upon us!  Unconditionally and undeservedly!

Father, I don’t want to take for granted your great love for me.  I want to receive it; believe it, and praise you daily for it!  In Jesus’ name, amen.