A Resurrection-Shaped Voice: Called & Claimed
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
1 John 3:1
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God,
and that is what we are. The reason the world does n
ot know us is that it did not know him.
John doesn’t start with a command. He starts with a “Pay attention”. “See what love the Father has given us…” In other words: Stop. Look right here. Don’t rush past this. Because this is not normal love. This is not “I’ll like you if you behave” love. This is not “You’re in when you’re useful” love. This is fantastic Father-love. Pure gift love! Love that is handed to you like a warm coat on a cold day. And what is the gift?
“That we should be called children of God—and that is what we are.”
Let that land. God doesn’t only tolerate you. He not only forgives you. He names you.
Child.
Let that sink in. Not an employee. Not renter. Not a visitor. Not “maybe.” Not “if you can prove it.”
Child.
A child doesn’t earn the family name. A child receives it. A child belongs because the parent says so. And God has said so about you. That means when you fail, your address doesn’t change. When you struggle, your last name doesn’t get erased. When you feel far away, God doesn’t say, “You’re out.” He says, “Come here.”
And it also means the world might not understand you. John says, “The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” The world is good at labels, but they’re usually the wrong ones: successful, forgettable, strong, weak, popular, nobody. God gives a better label, and sometimes it doesn’t make sense to people who don’t know Him.
But you don’t live for the world’s label. You live from the father’s love. So, when you look in the mirror today, don’t just see your tired eyes, your messy schedule, or your regrets. Look deeper. See what God sees.
A son. A daughter.
And if your heart argues back—That can’t be true of me—read the verse again. John doesn’t say, “That’s what you might be someday.” He says, “That is what we are.”
Right now. Have a great week!
-Martin's Lutheran Church
