Man's Capability of Future Glory and Blessedness
J. Hawes, D. D. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear… I. THAT STRONG, UNAPPEASABLE DESIRE, THAT LONGING AFTER A HIGHER GOOD THAN THIS WORLD AFFORDS, WHICH SEEMS INHERENT IN THE NATURE OF MAN, POINTS TO SOMETHING GREAT AND GLORIOUS IN HIS FUTURE DESTINY. This was wont to be appealed to by the ancient heathen philosophers as among the strongest proofs of the soul's immortality. And plainly there is much force in the argument. For, assuming the wisdom and goodness of the Creator, it may be asked, why should He implant in the nature of man a desire after immortality, if He did not mean to gratify that desire; or why awaken in Him longings after unearthly, eternal happiness, if He has made no provisions to appease those longings? Place man in any earthly situation; give him wealth, give him power, give him honour, pleasure, all that the world can afford; still there will be a void within, still he will travail in pain, and look and sigh after enjoyments which the fleeting objects of time and sense can never afford him. His thoughts and his hopes stretch beyond the shadows of earth and time and fasten on the skies. These facts clearly show that this world was never designed to be the final abode of man. II. IF WE CONSIDER THE CAPACITIES OF MAN, WE SHALL PERCEIVE STILL STRONGER EVIDENCE THAT HE IS DESTINED TO SOMETHING INCONCEIVABLY GRAND AND GLORIOUS IN THE PROGRESS OF HIS FUTURE BEING. Though fallen from his original dignity and degraded by sin, man is still noble in ruins. He is now, most plainly, but in the infancy of his being. Still we perceive in him capacities for high and noble attainments; capacities which stamp on his existence the seal of eternity. 1. Man possesses an immortal nature; is made for an endless existence. The body soon decays. But this affects not the existence of the living, thinking spirit. 2. Man has a capacity for endless progress in knowledge. The great law of mind is expansion, and we know of no assignable limits to this law. 3. Man has a capacity for endless improvement in moral excellence or holiness. He is qualified to be perfectly conformed to the will of God, to be holy even as He is holy. 4. Man has a capacity for great and noble actions, and for constant and evergrowing usefulness in the kingdom of God. 5. Man has a capacity for endless advancement in happiness. Happiness in a rational being is the necessary result of the right and useful exercise of all His powers. III. WHAT PROVISIONS GOD HAS MADE TO SATISFY THE WANTS OF MAN, AND FILL THE LARGE CAPACITIES OF THE SOUL WITH GOOD. Ever since the morning of creation, when God made man in His image, and gave him dominion over His works, He has been continually operating for his good. Behold this world in all its magnificence and beauty, appointed to be his habitation, and to minister to his improvement and happiness. Turn next to the wonders of redeeming love, and see how, from age to age, God has been operating for the salvation of our race. IV. LET US TURN TO THE ORACLES OF GOD, AND LEARN WHAT THEY REVEAL ON THIS SUBJECT. 1. Conclusion: How truly wise is it to be religious! What is religion? It is to act up to the dignity of our nature as made in the image of God, rational and immortal beings; is to look beyond the scenes of earth and time to those invisible realities which the Word of God presents for our consideration, and prepare to meet them; it is to love, reverence and serve the great Being who holds our destiny in His hand. 2. How degrading is a life of irreligion, a life spent in neglect of God and the soul; devoted to the cares and pursuits of the world! Of what value, in a little time, will all those things be which now most interest and absorb men of the world? (J. Hawes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. WEB: Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.