3 See what sort of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are. That is why the world does not know us, because it has not come to know him. 2 Beloved ones, we are now children of God, but it has not yet been made manifest what we will be. We do know that when he is made manifest we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as that one is pure.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/62/3#h=13:0-13:197
But the WT starts with:
“See what sort of love the Father has given us!”—1 JOHN 3:1.
Who is "us"?
The second part of this vers says: "children of god".
So the article should be read:
“See what sort of love the Father has given to the children of god!”—1 JOHN 3:1.
My understanding is, that the actual teaching says:
God’s love, however, is expressed in more ways than just caring for us physically. He has also elevated and dignified us by giving us spiritual capacity and helping us to satisfy it. (Matthew 5:3) In this way, obedient mankind has the prospect of becoming part of God’s family, his “children.”—Romans 8:19-21.
WT 2014-03-01 : http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014162
and:
*** jr chap. 14 p. 181 par. 25 You Can Benefit From the New Covenant ***
25 Jehovah’s promise to forgive sins through the new covenant will reach its fullest extent at the end of Christ’s Millennial Reign. Jesus Christ, together with the 144,000 underpriests, will have restored to perfection loyal humans. After the final test, mankind will then be full-fledged members of Jehovah’s universal family. (Read Romans 8:19-22.) For centuries, all have been groaning under the burden of sin. However, Jehovah’s human creation will then have “the glorious freedom of the children of God,” freedom from sin and death.
Has the GB changed this, because they write in §11:
A loving father is deeply concerned about the future of his children, wanting them to have a real and meaningful purpose in life. Regrettably, most people are in the dark about the future, or they spend their life pursuing goals that bring no lasting benefits. (Ps. 90:10) As God’s children, we feel truly loved because Jehovah has promised us a wonderful future. That gives genuine meaning and purpose to our life.
So a thinking JW must have these qestions, after the deep study of this article:
Are we now God's children?
Are we God's children not until the final test after the 1000 years?
Are God's children in 1. John 3:1 the "sons of god" (the 144.000 - you could think so, if you read the context)?
Maybe the "normal" JW doesn't know the difference in the doctrine about the sons of god and the children of god.
