A Note from Michael Gossett
The Love of God
Throughout history, you can find stories of unexpected moments of grace. Some of these stories are big and some are small. Nevertheless, every story of unexpected grace is impactful to some degree.
On March 9, 1974, a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda found himself alone and finally surrendered his post almost thirty years after World War II had ended. During the war, Onoda had been stationed on a remote island in the Philippines. When the war ended in 1945, he and a few others refused to believe it. The men received message after message about the war ending, even from their own families. However, they viewed these messages as enemy propaganda and they did not trust the information. One by one, his fellow soldiers either surrendered or eventually died, but Onoda remained.
It wasn’t until a Japanese explorer, Norio Suzuki, tracked him down in 1974 and personally delivered orders from Onoda’s former commander that he finally accepted the truth after almost three decades.
I find it interesting that so many followers of Jesus live their lives like Onoda. Many disciples are convinced that they must fight, strive, and prove themselves worthy, unaware that the war has already been won. They live in bondage, even though they have been set free and are loved by God.
This is why the Apostle John opens 1 John 3 with a command to “See” or, as older translations put it, “Behold!” It is as if John is grabbing the readers by the shoulders and forcing them to hear the orders plain and simply, “See what GREAT LOVE the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children – and we are!” (1 John 3:1).
John doesn’t just state this as theological information but rather, he proclaims it as something so incredible, so astonishing, and so amazing that it should stop us right where we are to ponder and meditate on the love of God. This phrase, “what great love” is used to describe something so strange that it must have come from somewhere else, like another planet or another country. It is a description that can only mean, “otherworldly.” John is ultimately saying, this kind of love, this love of God is from another world.
The expression of this love is that sinners should be called the children of God. It would still be an extraordinary love if it only involved paying our debt of sin. However, it goes beyond that. We are forgiven and welcomed into His family as His children. Think about this: You are not just forgiven, you are loved. You are not tolerated, you are loved. You are not just rescued from judgment, you are loved. You are adopted and brought into the household of God.
The doctrine of adoption is one of the most astonishing realities of the Christian life. Many Christians understand justification and sanctification, but adoption speaks to the intimacy of the love God lavishes on us. John Calvin once said, “The name ‘Father’ is not a title of empty significance, but a most sweet and intimate name. If we are truly His children, then we are not left in doubt concerning His care for us.” This doctrine is seen as one of the most cherished throughout the Puritan era. The Puritans would see the doctrine of adoption as the highest privilege of salvation. Thomas Watson once said, “Adoption is a greater mercy than Adam had in paradise. He was a son by creation; we are sons by election and redemption.”
However, we must understand the high cost in order to belong to the household of God. The world will reject us because it rejected Him. The Apostle John says, “The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him.” (1 John 3:1b). This is the price of adoption. Jesus was despised and misunderstood, so too will His followers be. The Puritans would refer to this as “holy alienation.” Richard Baxter put it this way: “The more we resemble Christ, the more we shall be strangers to this world.”
But, praise God we are not left by the Lord as strangers or orphans just trying to endure rejection. John gives us more. John shifts from the certainty of our present adoption to the promise of our future transformation with great hope! The human mind cannot fully comprehend what awaits us in the age to come. Paul, quoting Isaiah, declares, “What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived—God has prepared these things for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, CSB). Even though Scripture does not give us a complete picture of our glorified state, it does unveil glimpses of the transformation that believers will experience.
In our current state, we wrestle with the weight of sin, the limitations of our frail bodies, and the dissatisfaction of our hearts. But in our glorification, every trace of corruption will be erased. “Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2).
This is one of the most profound statements in Scripture. We are already God’s children now, but we are not yet what we will be. The Christian life exists in this tension – the already but not yet. We have already been redeemed, but we are not yet fully transformed until glory. From the moment of our conversion, God begins the work of sanctification in us. We are progressively being made holy, being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Yet, no matter how much we grow in holiness, the presence of sin remains. The Apostle Paul lamented this struggle in Romans 7: “For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.” John Owen said, “The sight of Christ in glory is the highest blessing the soul can enjoy, and in that moment, sin will be no more.” Our future is not just an improved version of our present life, it is something entirely new.
We will be completely purified once and for all. Right now, sin still clings to our lives and tints every color in the world. We struggle, we stumble and we fall. But on that day, we will be made holy. Every sinful impulse, every evil thought, every trace of rebellion will be removed forever. Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” Thomas Brooks once wrote, “At that great day, the Lord will draw the curtain, and we shall see the full glory of His holiness shine upon us.” For the first time in our existence, we will be able to love God fully and purely without distraction, struggle, or sin.
This transformation will also be physical. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:21, “He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body.” After Jesus’ resurrection, He had a real, physical body. He walked, He ate, Thomas touched him, and yet He was no longer subject to death or decay. Our bodies will be the same. No more sickness, no more weakness, no more cancer, no more flu, no more COVID, and no more death. Richard Sibbes called this “The full redemption of our whole persons, both soul and body, wherein we shall shine as the sun.”
The transformation will also bring the promised satisfaction that our hearts have longed for. Psalm 17:15 says, “But I will see your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence.” Right now, our hearts are restless. We long for something more. But on that day, we will finally be satisfied. I love what Jonathan Edwards wrote, “Heaven is a world of love, where the soul shall forever be filled with the beauty and joy of Christ.” Every longing will be met. Every desire finally fulfilled. Every ache healed. We will see Him, and we will be made like Him.
John was certainly clear. You haven’t seen anything yet. The love of God has not only made us His children, but it also guarantees our future transformation. Until that day, we walk in hope and holiness, fixing our eyes on the One who has called us His children. Paul tells us in Colossians 1:27, “Christ in you, the hope of Glory.”
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible love that has made me your child and a part of your family. Please help me to live with the assurance of belonging to you, the confidence of my transformation, and the pursuit of holiness. Keep my eyes fixed on Christ, who is my hope of glory alone. May my life reflect the purity, joy, and satisfaction that comes from knowing you. Strengthen me to walk in faithfulness until the day I see you face to face. In His name, I pray, Amen.
Have you ever wanted to step into the pages of Scripture? To stand where the Apostle Paul proclaimed the Gospel and witness the incredible sites of his missionary journeys? Now is your chance!
I’m inviting you to join my wife, Katie, and me for a trip of a lifetime as we explore the rich history and profound theology of Paul’s ministry in the ancient world. Together, from October 25 to November 4, 2025, we’ll walk in Paul’s footsteps and experience the lands that shaped the early church and transformed history.
📍 Highlights of Our Journey:
Philippi: Visit the site of Paul’s first church plant in Europe and where Lydia, the first European convert, was baptized.
Thessalonica & Berea: Discover the cities where Paul’s teachings inspired the faithful and stirred the hearts of seekers.
Athens & Corinth: Stand in awe at Mars Hill, where Paul preached the Gospel to Greek philosophers, and explore the vibrant city of Corinth.
Ephesus: Explore the ruins of ancient cities pivotal to Paul’s mission and the spread of Christianity.
Greek Islands & Crete: Sail through the beauty of the same seas as Paul while reflecting on his journey to these historic lands.
🗓 Trip Dates: October 25–November 4, 2025
📖 What You’ll Gain:
- Transformative teaching at every site to deepen your understanding of Paul’s life and theology.
- Opportunities for spiritual reflection and meaningful fellowship with others.
- Memories that will bring the Bible to life like never before.
💬 What Past Travelers Have Said:
“Walking through Philippi and standing in the very places where Paul shared the Gospel was unforgettable. This journey truly transformed how I read Scripture.”
“Standing in the ruins of Corinth, where Paul wrote to the early church, gave me a deeper appreciation for his letters. This trip made the Bible come alive in ways I never imagined.”
“Sailing the Greek islands and visiting Crete reminded me of the challenges Paul faced and the power of the Gospel to overcome them. It was an unforgettable spiritual and historical experience.”
“Hearing the teaching at Philippi and seeing the baptistry where Lydia might have been baptized brought tears to my eyes. This journey deepened my faith and my understanding of Scripture.”
Reserve Your Spot Today!
This exclusive experience is limited, so don’t wait to secure your place. Click here or reply to this email with questions.
Let’s make this journey together—learning, growing, and experiencing the powerful story of the Apostle Paul in a way that will inspire your faith for years to come.
P.S. Invite a friend or loved one to join you. This shared experience will be one you’ll cherish forever!
You can sign up here! Space is limited, so please sign up as early as possible.
Join us this Sunday for worship!
This Sunday at 9:30 am or 11:00 am at our Tyler Campus, Español Campus (Crosswalk of Tyler Campus at 11:00 am only) or Flint Campus
Invite someone to join you and let’s worship together!
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett