Seeing the Lord

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, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is ( 1 John 3:2)

Beloved, now are we the sons of God

1. This “beloved” is indicative of how John regards his readers
2. “We” refers to both the author and the audience
3. They are the children of God in and through Jesus the Christ
   1. This is the position granted to us all
   2. There is yet a practical expression of living it out

And it does not yet appear what we shall be

1. We are not yet what we shall be
2. What we shall be is yet to be realised
3. What we are imperfectly here on earth is a sure indication that we are on the move to what we shall ultimately be

But we know that, when He shall appear

1. One thing we know for sure is that Jesus Christ will return one day
2. This is what we look forward
3. This is what we are certain of
4. This hope of be holding the return of the Lord keeps us alive and alert

We shall be like Him

1. We will be completely transformed to the image of the Son
2. We shall surely be like Him
   1. Like Him in character
   2. Like Him in moral standing before God the Father

For we shall see Him as He is

1. There is a time we do not see Him as He is
   1. In this present age
   2. With this mortal body of ours
2. There will come a time when we will see Him as He is
   1. In the future
   2. When He returns to us
   3. With the transformed body of ours
3. Seeing Him as He is means
   1. Understanding Him in all confidence
   2. Knowing Him in all intimacy