“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
The word manner, in the original Greek, implies a love that is foreign to us in its origin—something otherworldly, not like anything we have experienced in human relationships. It’s not a love that is contingent upon our performance or our perfection. It is a love that originates in the heart of God, given freely, without condition. God’s love is extravagant, sacrificial, and relentless. It is the kind of love that led Him to send His only Son to die for us, even when we were undeserving. It is a love that calls us to be His children, to be adopted into His family, and to share in the inheritance of His kingdom.
When we are called children of God, it signifies a dramatic shift in our identity. Before coming to Christ, we were strangers to God, separated from Him by our sin. Yet through His grace, we have been adopted, brought near, and given a new identity as sons and daughters of the Most High. This new title is not just a label—it carries with it privileges, responsibilities, and an entirely new way of living.
The world, in its fallen state, cannot fully understand or appreciate the love that God has poured out on His children. Just as they rejected Jesus during His time on earth, they will not recognize the love of God that has been lavished upon us. This disconnect can be painful at times. We may find ourselves misunderstood, ridiculed, or even persecuted because of our faith. Yet, as children of God, we are called to live according to a different standard—a heavenly one. Our identity is no longer defined by the approval or rejection of the world, but by the love of God, which transcends all earthly understanding.
In our homes, communities, and workplaces, we have the opportunity to be vessels of this incredible love. When we reflect God’s love in our actions, our words, and our attitudes, we shine as lights in a dark world, pointing others to the hope and joy we have found in Christ.
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