1 John 2:27-28 - Abiding and Not Ashamed

Today, Monday July 26 Abiding and Not Ashamed 1 John 2:27-28 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. John is about to conclude his message on fellowship and is about to begin his message on sonship. He has pointed out the contrasts between light and darkness (1 John 1:1-2:6), love and hatred (1 John 2:7-17), and truth and error (1 John 2:18-27). He has explained that a real Christian lives a life of obedience (walking in light, not darkness), love, and truth. It is impossible to live in fellowship with God if we are disobedient or hateful or untruthful. Any of these sins will lead us out of reality and into pretense. We will have an "artificial" life instead of an "authentic" life. John now uses three words that ought to encourage us to live in fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Abide. We must recognize the importance of abiding in Christ. We abide in Christ by believing the truth, obeying the truth, and loving other Christians—"the brethren." Obedience—love—truth. If we are a believer and find ourselves out of fellowship with God, it is because we have disobeyed His Word, lacked love for a brother, or believed a lie. The solution is to confess our sin instantly and to claim God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Appear. This is the first mention in this epistle of the promised return of Christ. The Book of Revelation deals in detail with future events. This epistle (1 John 2:28-3:3; 4:17) merely mentions the return of Christ and a coming day of judgment. Not all Bible students are agreed as to the details of future events, but we agree that Christ is returning for His church (1 Thes. 4:13-18). Though Christians will not then be judged for their sins, they will be judged on the basis of their faithfulness in serving Christ (1 Cor. 3:10-15). Those who have been faithful will receive rewards (1 Cor. 4:5); and those who have not been faithful will lose rewards. This event is called "the Judgment Seat of Christ" (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). The fact that Jesus Christ may return at any moment ought to be an incentive for us to live in fellowship with Him and be obedient to His Word. For this reason, John uses a third word: Ashamed. Some Christians will be "ashamed before Him at His presence" (1 John 2:28). All believers are "accepted," but there is a difference between being "accepted" and being "acceptable." A Christian who has not walked in fellowship with Christ in obedience, love, and truth will lose his rewards; and this will make him ashamed. No matter in which direction a Christian looks, we find reason to obey God. If we looks back, we see Calvary, where Christ died for him. If we look within, we see the Holy Spirit who lives within and teaches us the truth. If we looks around, we see our Christian brethren whom we love; we also see a world lost in sin, desperately needing a godly witness. And if we look ahead, we see the return of Christ! "And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure" (1 John 3:3). The return of Christ is a great inspiration for godly living. Friend, be encouraged today to abide in Christ and look for His return. God bless!