1John 2:28
And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
I know that in the first decades after Christ’s death, his followers expected him to appear any day. Today I think of His second coming as something way out in the future, that I will likely not see in this life. But at some point, sooner or later, I will face God, and I do not want to feel ashamed. This scripture assures us that if we “continue in him” we need not feel ashamed. I will ask forgiveness today for all of my transgressions, those I am aware of, and those I have forgotten or never realized. I am trying to live as a follower of Christ, but I do make so many mistakes and omissions. Lord, guide me, teach me, and forgive me, I pray. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by Kay
1John 2:28
This is a challenging concept for me and I suppose it all comes down to what exactly is meant by “ashamed.” God is so indescribably much and I am so pathetically little, there will always be something that feels like shame when I am in God’s presence. There are examples of this in Scripture. Pastor and author, John MacAurthur points out several:
Peter on realizing Jesus’ identity - “Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8)
Paul - “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
Job on seeing God face to face - “I abhor myself and repent in dust and…
Monday September 9th, 2024
1 John 2:28
And now dear children continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his second coming.
As I continue reading scripture, the most important lesson for me was finally understanding the GRACE of God. “Grace is the continual unconditional love from God the father and the son toward a person who does not deserve it. Grace existed long before I was ever to be. The above scripture and the subsequent verse tells us to continue our daily lives living as Jesus instructs us in his word. First, is confidence, both in our salvation and in our relationship with Him. Second, we will not need to…