1 John 3:1 See how loving the Father has been to us, that we should be called children of God, and indeed we are his children. The reason the world does not know us is because it has not known him.
Packer reminds us that salvation is not just "closing the case," but also "returning home." The exclamation "Behold!" in 1 John 3:1 calls us to stop and gaze upon that utterly unfamiliar, selfless love. We often try to understand God through the lens of the humility of a "criminal" or the pragmatism of a "laborer," yet we dare not believe that we already possess the privilege of being "heirs." Today, try to let go of that sense of alienation, that feeling of "unworthy," and accept your new identity as a "child of God." This love does not depend on your actions, but on the Father's promise. This confirmation of identity is the most stable anchor for our hearts when facing misunderstanding from the world and hardships in life.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You with all my heart. Through the redemption of Jesus Christ, I am no longer a sinner lingering at the door, but a child adopted by You, bearing the mark of Your life. Lord, how immense is this "highest privilege," often leaving me speechless with astonishment. Open my heart, that I may not only know You are God in knowledge, but also be certain in my life that You are my Abba Father. When the world denies me and setbacks strike me, I ask the Holy Spirit to call out loudly in my heart, reminding me of my unshakeable and noble identity. May my conduct today reflect the glory and peace befitting Your child, and be worthy of this precious grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!