Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” In yesterday’s message we looked at 1 John 3:2 in the King James Version and verses 1-3 from the Message Bible. Let’s take a look at those again.
The King James Version reads, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth 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).
The Message Bible reads, “What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.” (1 John 3:1-3 MSG)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God made you in His image and likeness.
a) The King James Version of Genesis 1:26 reads, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
b) The Easy to Read Version of Genesis 1:26 reads, “Then God said, “Now let’s make humans who will be like us. They will rule over all the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. They will rule over all the large animals and all the little things that crawl on the earth.”
c) God is God, so he could have chosen to create you in whatever image He wanted. But He loves you SO much that He chose to create you in His image and likeness.
d) You were created to be LIKE GOD in the earth.
e) When God looks down at you, He is looking to see Himself. Your life is supposed to be a reflection of Him. That is why He is not opposed to using you in supernatural ways. Because He is a supernatural God.
2. God loves you SO much that He called you to be just like Jesus.
a) John tells us that while it does not yet appear what we shall be, what we do know is that when He appears we shall be like Him! We may not know how God will use us specifically, but the one thing we do know is that He has called ALL His children to be like His Son.
b) The text says, “the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.” When we see Jesus, we should see a reflection of ourselves. When we take a look at ourselves in the mirror, we should see a reflection of Jesus.
c) The Bible says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29 NIV). You are not supposed to be conformed to the image of this world. You are supposed to be conformed to the image of Jesus.
d) Once again, the key to operating in God’s supernatural power is to receive his unconditional love. The Apostle John, the disciple Jesus loved, said, “If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus” (1 John 4:17). Why will we be without fear? Because we know God loves us and because we are JUST LIKE JESUS in this world!
I will stop here for today and revisit this passage tomorrow.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I know this because I have believed and received Your love towards me. You love me SO much that You created me to be JUST LIKE YOU in this world. I am Your image. I live in Your likeness. I am a reflection of You and You are a reflection of me. What a privilege! What an honor! Thank You Father for allowing me to represent You in the earth. I enter this day with Your love in my heart and with this confession on my lips, “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!” I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
