His Encouragement: Children of God

Welcome! Welcome, dearest friends, to His Encouragement: Biblical Inspiration for Your Thursday. Every Thursday, a few blogging friends and I will each bring you a Bible passage and a little hope-filled discussion. We pray that these Thursday posts help you end your week strong in God’s love and purpose for you.

Today’s Encouragement

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

—1 John 3:1a, ESV 

Last week’s encouragement reminded us that you are NEVER so dirty, so unclean, so messed up, so broken, so sinful, so [insert your reason here] that God will not forgive you, cleanse you, and transform you if you ask. Today’s verse is a continuation of this beautiful encouragement of your value to God. I selected the first part of 1 John 3:1 because of the amazing truth it shares.

Some of us may have wondered or are currently wondering: why would the perfect Creator of the Universe willingly take on the lowly human form and die upon a cross for the sins of us flawed people? The simple answer is found in 1 John 4:8: “…because God is love.” And because God IS love, He chose to die in your place, in my place, so that we could be redeemed and reunited to Him. So “…that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

And as His children, we are called to reflect His love to those around us. Jesus said: “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

So, beloved friend, not only is it important for us to know how much the Lord loves us as individuals, but we need to share this amazing love with everyone we meet. I challenge you with a love challenge! 

Today is the perfect day to do this two-part challenge:

1. Tell your spouse, your children, your parents, your family how much you love and appreciate them.
2. Do something loving and kind for someone outside your family: a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a stranger.

Each and every one of us has been given the gift and privilege of being able to share the love of God with those within our sphere of influence. So let us share the good news: God loves you! He forgives us our past mistakes! He cleanses us! He makes us a new person in Him!

Be sure to also visit my fellow bloggers and read their encouragement for your Thursday as well:

• Trisha of Joy of Reading
• Nicole of The Christian Fiction Girl
• Jessica of A Baker’s Perspective
• Becca of The Becca Files
• Jenny Lynn
• Gina of Stories by Gina
• Rev. Rebecca Writes

Hi there, blogger. Would you like to join us in sharing encouragement from the Word of God every Thursday? Don’t be shy! Contact Trisha or Nicole today!

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Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash.