Reprint from the Feb. 1930 Word & Work: Words In Season
“Everyone that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3). The hope of which John speaks is that we shall be like Him when He shall appear. This hope is in Jesus Christ and looks forward to the promise of His coming, and to be more exact, to a certain promise connected with His coming, namely, that when He is manifested we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2).
This is the radical instantaneous transformation into the likeness and image of Jesus Christ. Even now and here, by “beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord” we are being transformed—gradually and progressively “from glory to glory.” But then, when we see Him as He is, we shall be changed into His image: “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” This is no doubt that “grace that shall be brought unto you at the revelation of! Jesus Christ,” on which we are bidden to set our hope “perfectly.” (1 Pet. 1:13). And this hope has a profound effect on our manner of life: everyone that hath this hope set on Him purifieth himself even as He is pure. That is, the prospect of this great destiny guaranteed for us in Him creates in our hearts the ambition to be like Jesus, here and now, and to put off from ourselves all that is un-Christlike. Such is the true effect of the true hope, and by this it may be known and tested.
THE HOPE FIRST
Now it does not say that everyone that purifies himself even as Christ is pure may have the hope. It is vice versa: everyone that hath the hope purifies himself. The hope is first. Having the hope is the cause, the self-purifying is the effect of having the hope. It is not that their purifying themselves according to the pattern of Jesus is the ground on which they may have hope. It is precisely the other way: the hope which they have is the reason for their aspiration to Christlikeness. It is important to see that. It is not denied that the progress in Christian living makes the hope shine more brightly. But the hope is freely given us to begin with—the sure prospect that we shall be like Him. The promise of that destiny was not given to the strong and the perfect, but to those who were “yet weak” having but just escaped from the ruin of this world, and as yet very un-Christlike in their ways.
But knowing their sure goal they begin to live in accordance with it. That is quite natural. If any common man were assured of some high official position and honor as certainly awaiting him, it would at once elevate his thought and conduct, and he would begin to assume the dignity, decorum, and honor that belongs to the noble place to which he is destined—granting, of course, that he desires and appreciates the high position in store for him. Thus by the very sureness of his hope and prospect, he would become transformed into fitness for it. The lamented Senator Carmack, of Tennessee, had a rich silver loving- cup which had been bestowed upon him in recognition of high and excellent service. He decided to give it to his son—a mere lad at the time. “Don’t give it to him yet,” objected Mrs. Carmack— “he may not prove worthy of it.” “I give it to him now that he may become worthy of it,” answered Senator Carmack. That is God’s principle in grace. He gives us all, freely, to begin with. The promise is not to be attained by pure life and noble service— it is ours from the first as a free gift, that we may live His life and give ourselves to Him lovingly even as He loved us and gave Himself for us.
- H. Boll was a Church of Christ minister and was Editor of the Print Word & Work from 1916 to 1956.