1 John 2:28-3:3- Abiding in God

One major incentive for believers not to live a sinful life is the return of the Lord. Since believers would be meeting the Lord at His return, we should walk softly regarding sin. To so do, the passage today exhorts us to abide in Him.

The word “abide” literally means to remain or to continue. Bear in mind that John’s concern was that the believers might be influenced by the unorthodox teachings and be enticed to move away from the Lord. When believers succumb to wrong teachings, they would be ashamed when they meet the Lord. However, if they abide in him, they would have confidence and would not feel shameful and be embarrassed, when they finally meet the Lord. John wanted them to be able to find the approval of the Lord when He returns. In verse 29, John’s point is this: a true child of God will reflect His righteous character and continue to practice rightly. God is righteous, therefore every believer who abides in Him will naturally demonstrate righteous behavior.

While John wrote to assure his readers then, what he wrote also have an impact on us today. We are God’s children because He had showered His love upon us. This, he stated categorically and confidently saying, “… and such we are.” The reason the world could not recognize believers as God’s children, rests in the fact that they have no knowledge of God, the Father. However, their ignorance does not negate the fact that believers are God’s children.

Although God’s children may not seem to fully reflect His image now and may not even comprehend the significance of their status now, they shall when Christ appears. In that moment of His return, believers will be fully transformed and glorified. They will be instantly transformed into His likeness, both physically and spiritually. Meanwhile, believers whose hope is set on Christ would seek to live a life of purity because of His purity.      

No wonder the Scripture bids us to keep seeking things above, where Christ is seated. It makes sense for us to set our eyes on things above and not on the things of this earth. Let’s keep our eyes on the cloud in the sky, for we can sense that it won’t be long and our Master will return.