In biblical terms, we are not born as children of God - it is what we become. The journey begins when we slip into the river of light that flows from the heart of God. We are swept along and are transformed along the way. John recognises that we do not know what we will become - only that it is wonderful beyond what we can ever imagine. Eventually, we will see the Lord as he is - and by then, we will be like Him too. In John's Gospel, Jesus tells His followers to 'abide' - dwell or remain - in Him always, which we do through the Spirit. This enables the Lord to share all that He is and that He has with us. And if we are truly abiding in Him, we will not sin. But we must enter the river first.

John the Baptist recognised Jesus and proclaimed Him the 'Lamb of God' - the One who takes away the sin of the world. In John's view, the 'sin' of the world is ignorance of God, especially when we continue to claim that we know and understand Him. It is Jesus as the Lamb who provides access to the Father, helping us to dwell in God in heart, mind, and soul. There is a big difference between knowing about God - the experience of most - and actually knowing God directly and personally. Jesus offers us this knowledge as He takes away our sin.