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.
1 John 3:1
Few things hurt as much as being misunderstood, especially by those close to us. When we try to explain our intentions, our words seem to make things worse. We do what we do because we believe it honors Christ, only to discover that someone sees it as foolish. So we begin wondering whether following Jesus is worth the cost.
John understands this tension of living for the Lord while living in the world. After celebrating the Father’s love, he reminds us that belonging to God’s family does not guarantee the world’s acceptance. The world that failed to recognize Jesus will not always understand those who belong to Him.
John uses the word “know” to describe a deep intimacy between people, something more than simply recognizing someone’s name or identity. The world encountered Jesus but failed to recognize who He truly was. It should not surprise us when people misunderstand the life He is producing in us.
We must understand that not every criticism or disagreement is rejection because of our faith. Sometimes we just are not likable. If we have been impatient, insensitive, or argumentative, maybe it is our attitude, not our faith. Following Jesus should make us more willing to listen and acknowledge our failures, not less.
The truth is, the Father knows us, and His love frees us from constantly needing approval. We must learn to hold our convictions without becoming defensive, to be kind, and to love others without demanding that they agree with us.
The world may not always recognize whose children we are. Our Father never forgets.
Father, we confess that we sometimes value others’ approval more than faithfulness to You. Thank You for knowing us and welcoming us into Your family. Give us the courage to follow Christ with humility and kindness, especially when others misunderstand us. We surrender our desire to be accepted by everyone and rest in the assurance that we belong to You.
Known by the Father,
eep
