December 5
Living with
Expectation
1 John 3:2-3
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.
Daily Steps
The Anchor of Hope (Day 340) is not meant to secure a life of complacency; instead, it fuels a life of active purity and expectation. This passage assures the new believer of our glorious, though currently unseen, future—we shall be like Him—and defines the essential, transforming power of this hope in our daily choices: it compels us to purify ourselves.
The peace in this principle is found in transforming hope:
Our Present Identity: The passage grounds us in truth: now we are children of God (The Spirit of Adoption, Day 315). This is our secure, present ultimate identity (Day 288), regardless of our current circumstances or feelings.
Our Glorious Future: While what we will be has not yet been made known in full detail, the core truth is certain: when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. This is the culmination of The Hope of the Resurrection (Day 309)—complete righteousness (Day 308) and transformation into the image of Christ.
The Purifying Power of Hope: This future certainty has an immediate impact on the present: All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. Knowing that we will stand before a holy Christ motivates us to pursue holiness (Day 314) and purity (Day 291) now. Our hope is the engine of self-control (Day 335) and resolute obedience (Day 283).
Your peace is secured by transforming hope. Embrace Hope and Expectation today by allowing the certainty of seeing Christ and being made like Him to drive your life choices. Actively purify yourselves in every thought and action, living with the joy of the Lord (Day 339) and the earnest expectation of His return.
Reflective Question
How does the promise that we shall be like Him change the way you view a current struggle with a particular sin or habit? What is one specific thing you can do to purify yourself today because of your expectation of Christ's return?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to live only for today, forgetting the glory of tomorrow. I thank You for the truth that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him. I pray for the grace to live with such clear hope that it compels me to purify myself, just as He is pure. Secure my peace today in this transforming hope, and grant me diligence in my walk. Amen.
