Matthew Henry Commentary 1 John 3:1-2

"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and [such] we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is." — 1 John 3:1-2 (ASV)

Little does the world know of the happiness of the real followers of Christ. Little does the world think that these poor, humble, despised ones are favorites of God and will dwell in heaven.

Let the followers of Christ be content with hardship here, since they are in a land of strangers, where their Lord was so badly treated before them. The sons of God must walk by faith and live by hope. They may rightly wait in faith, hope, and earnest desire for the revelation of the Lord Jesus.

The sons of God will be known, and be made manifest by likeness to their Head. They will be transformed into the same image by beholding Him.