We Shall Be Like Him

Passage: 1 John 3:2

The Big Idea

Right now, we are God’s children, and the Spirit Himself assures us of it. What we will become hasn’t been fully revealed yet, but we know this: when Jesus appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is. Our destiny isn’t to become clones, but to be ourselves, fully transformed by His heart and priorities. And the clear vision of Jesus that will one day transform us completely is already transforming us now, as we look at His face.

Now We Are Children (3:2)

John writes: Beloved, now we are children of God. What we will be hasn’t yet been revealed, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).

Now we are children of God. Not someday. Now.

And we can know it. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16).

We Shall Be Like Him

  • The destination, the goal, is to be transformed into His image (Romans 8:29).
  • Not like a clone. You’ll still be you, but with His heart and His priorities.
  • United with Him like a good marriage: one heart.

We Shall See Him as He Is

Paul says that now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now we know in part, but then we’ll know fully, even as we are fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

  • Ancient mirrors were polished metal. The reflection was cloudy and distorted.
  • That’s how we see Jesus now: truly, but dimly.
  • A clear, perfect vision of Jesus is the highest existence possible.
  • And seeing Him as He is will finish the work of making us like Him.

Looking Now

That transforming vision has already begun.

Paul says that God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). And as we behold His glory, we’re being transformed into His image, from one degree of glory to another, by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

What we see dimly now, we’ll see face to face then. And every glimpse of Jesus today changes us a little more.

Grace Takeaway

You are a child of God right now, and the Spirit confirms it in your heart. You’re not yet what you will be, but your future is certain: when Jesus appears, you’ll see Him as He is, and you’ll be like Him. Until then, keep looking at His face in His Word. The same vision that will complete your transformation is already at work in you today.

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