'See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)' Remember as a child that you'd often say things like, 'When I grow up, I want to be _____.' More often than not, our minds would change from day to day. When we reached adulthood, into which of those occupations did we actually go?
'See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)' Remember as a child that you'd often say things like, 'When I grow up, I want to be _____.' More often than not, our minds would change from day to day. When we reached adulthood, into which of those occupations did we actually go?
No matter how young or old, whether we've accepted Christ yesterday or decades ago, we are still just learning, still growing in Him. There is hardly a day goes by that we don't wonder at His miracles and grace. But because we are still children in the faith, there are times we slip, even fall. The important thing at the end of each day is to check yourself.
Review the events of your day and your reactions, whether in thought, word, or deed. Were your responses those of a child of God or a child of the world, aka Satan? Were you supportive or negative? Did you love or show indifference or even hatred? Did you stop to help or just keep on steppin'? My ol' ma used to tell me there is always room for improvement, and, hang it, she was right! No matter how long we've belonged to Jesus, or how many times we're read the Bible, or how many years we've taught Sunday School, or that we've sung in the choir since we were twelve, or even that the entire south wing of the church is because of our donation, we need always to be looking at what we're doing right now, because whatever that is needs to reflect our relationship with Jesus. When it doesn't, change it. If we are to grow up, we need to mature, and maturity requires a behavior beyond that of a immature, selfserving five-year-old who doesn't look before he leaps.
We see a doctor or dentist for regular checkups so that we can maintain our health. Our spiritual wellbeing needs the same attention. As Pastor Pete says, 'Check yourself!'
