1 John 3:1 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.
In this passage, John is inviting us to take a look at something very special - the love the Father has given to His children. So let’s take his advice and see what we can learn.
It’s a different love. John asks us to consider what kind, or what manner, of love we have been given. The word “kind” often means “from what country”. It implies that there is something very different (perhaps even foreign) about this love - something that draws attention because it is not like anything we are familiar with. After the disciples had seen Jesus still the storm, they said “What sort of man is this?” (Matthew 8:27) They used the same word that John uses here - “Where does He come from?” in effect.
It’s a given love, or a “granted” love. This rules out any sense in which the recipients deserved this love by their character, position, education or effort. The Father gives this to His children because it pleases Him to do so.
It’s an adopting love. Those upon whom it is bestowed cease to be outcasts and orphans. They enter into a new family in which God Himself is the Head and the Father. They leave behind the filthy rags of what they once considered to be their righteousness and are clothed in royal robes provided by their elder brother by adoption - Jesus Christ.
It’s a transforming love. They receive a new name - and a name of great honor - “Children of God”. And being His children and called by His name, they increasingly partake in the family likeness - they are changed from one degree of Christ-likeness to the next. And it is clear in this letter that John expects God's children to have the same kind of love for the world and for one another that God has given to them.
It’s a generous love. Having been adopted into the Royal Family of Heaven, and having been made princes and princesses of the heavenly King, they are granted the full rights that their new standing affords. They become heirs to a glorious inheritance - co-heirs with Christ. They become priest-kings as Jesus is The Priest King. They are destined to sit with Christ on His throne in glory. We wouldn’t dare to make this up - but this is what God has revealed in the Bible! It’s worth reading on a few verses in 1 John 3, because John talks about the amazing glory and grace that are yet to be revealed to the children of God because of the love He has given them!
It’s an all-surpassing love. To take sinful rebels, make them clean and adopt them as children calls for a kind of love that is (or should be) jaw-dropping. I love that John feels he must emphasize that what he has just been writing is the truth - “and so we are!”
It’s a costly and demonstrated love. I can’t finish this survey without referring to John 3:16 - a verse that answers the question, “What kind of love is this?” in a very powerful way:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
This “agape” love of God is a love that is seen in action. It is freely given to His children but very costly to the Giver. Such is His love for the world of fallen mankind that He gave up His actual Son, His one and only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross, so that He could then give His love to others and make them His sons and daughters by adoption !
It’s “whoever” love. God’s love will save a countless multitude and bring them into His family. It will save whoever will come and believe the good news, says John. We will have only ourselves to blame if we reject the generous offer of this different, given, adopting, transforming, generous, all surpassing, demonstrated and costly love of God.
