Lavish Love

 

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).

 

The word lavish doesn’t occur very often in the Bible, so its use here in 1 John 3 is striking: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us!” This is where our salvation begins: with the overwhelming, overflowing love of God. John then continues by contrasting what is now (“we are children of God!”) with what will be: “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” And this describes the finished project, the good work in us that God is bringing to completion (Philippians 1:6). Now we see “only a reflection as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12), but when we see Christ as he is, we shall be like him.

 

“All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure,” says John. Hope in Jesus is the bridge, the link between the love lavished on us now and becoming like him when he appears. This is love that is determined to bring us home. This hope is not wishful thinking; this is active hope, purifying hope—that is, hope that surrenders to the purifying fire of the Spirit of God as he burns away every part of us that is not pure and good.

 

Since we use the word “love” so many different ways we ought to spend some time reflecting on the modifiers in the Scripture. God doesn’t just like us; He doesn’t just prefer us; nor, does God merely have an affection toward us. He loves us LAVISHLY. There can be no superlative greater than this. He has proven is to us in the gift of Jesus for our redemption.

 

This affects how I think about myself as well as how I act in life toward myself and others. It makes me quicker to respond to others with grace and forgiveness. It motivates me toward those good works God has prepared me to perform. It gives me unshakable hope in the life He is even now preparing specifically for me in heaven. It purifies me even when I fail miserably. That is the kind of love we have from our heavenly Father. Rest in that today!