“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.” 1 John 2.28-29
As John writes to this early Christian community he does so with the hope of Christ returning. This was their common speech — to anticipate the return of Jesus. John says, “dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears…” It’s not an “if” he appears or that he might appear, it is “when” he appears. They expected Jesus to return and most importantly, they lived that way.
One good reason for “continuing in him” or remaining in him is so that we might be “confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” What does that mean to be confident and unashamed? The reverse would be to lack confidence and be ashamed at yourself, your behavior, your sin while in the presence of Jesus. John reminds us that we know Jesus is righteous and when he appears, we want to be seeking holiness with our hearts and minds on God.
Are we seeking Christ? Are our minds set on things above and not on things of this earth? Are we alive in Christ? Does our time, money and desires reflect our love for God or are we fulfilling on our own human wants and wills? As we move into this New Year, let us refocus all we have on Jesus. Seek him, walk with him, put him first in your life, actions and behavior. Live today as if Jesus were returning tomorrow. For he just might!
“O Lord God, I hear the encouragement from your Spirit to continue walking in your grace. I pray for your strength to be all that you have called me to be and to do for your glory and by your grace. Thank you for the words written so long ago but with application for today. Come quickly Lord Jesus. Visit us again and return us to yourself. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen