See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 ESV
In a world filled with confusion about identity and holiness, the Apostle John delivers a breathtaking reminder of who we truly are in Christ. Written late in the first century from Ephesus, 1 John combats early heresies that separated spirituality from holy living. John writes pastorally to reassure believers facing false teachers and worldly rejection. This short passage in chapter 3 explodes with wonder right after warnings against loving the world, grounding our pursuit of purity in the reality of God’s adopting love. It bridges the “already” of our new birth with the “not yet” of glorification, calling us to live holy lives in the in-between as dearly loved children of the Father.
John opens with an urgent command: “See!” or “Behold!” He invites us to marvel at the extravagant, sacrificial, and entirely unmerited love of the Father that makes us children of God—and the emphatic “and so we are” confirms this is no empty title. This adoption goes far beyond forgiveness; it brings us into God’s family with full privileges, security, and inheritance (John 1:12).
C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon on 1 John 3, urged believers to wonder at this divine sonship constantly, despite our unworthiness. Yet this new identity brings separation: the world does not know us because it did not know Him. God’s love is enough, making worldly approval unnecessary for the children of God.
Verse 2 tenderly addresses us as “Beloved,” anchoring us in present reality amid uncertainty. We are God’s children now, rooted in the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15-17). Our full transformation “has not yet appeared,” but the hope is certain: when Christ appears, “we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” This future glory, echoed in Romans 8:29 and Colossians 3:4, fuels perseverance.
Even a dim sight of Christ by faith begins the purifying work that glory will complete, as Spurgeon so beautifully emphasized. Our secure identity in the present gives us confidence to face trials while fixing our eyes on eternity.
Then the height of verse 3: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
True hope in Christ’s return is not passive but powerfully active. The Gospel demands action. It drives ongoing self-examination, repentance, and mortification of sin through the Holy Spirit. This pursuit mirrors Christ’s own purity and directly counters any tolerance of habitual sin. Supporting this, Hebrews 12:14 calls us to strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord, while Titus 2:11-14 links grace and the blessed hope to renouncing ungodliness and living godly lives now. Genuine hope in Christ always produces holiness.
This passage reminds us—and the early persecuted church—that we are not orphans or mere servants, but dearly loved children of the living God. Our exalted identity sets us apart from the world and propels us toward eternity. David Guzik and others highlight how adoption is an unnecessary extra blessing: God didn’t stop at rescue—He made us family. This realization transforms everything, turning our gaze toward Christ and chasing sin from our lives.
That first sentence from this article… read it again. In a world filled with confusion about identity and holiness, the Apostle John delivers a breathtaking reminder of who we truly are in Christ. This could have very-well been written to the Church today
Marvel daily at your adoption. Examine your heart in light of Christ’s return and mortify specific sins through prayer, the Spirit, and accountability. Whether you are a believer needing renewed pursuit of purity or someone still outside God’s family, the Father’s love stands ready. Come to Christ, receive adoption, and join the joyful pursuit of purity until He appears. See what kind of love the Father has given to us—may it fuel holy living for His glory.