1 John 2:28-29

1 John 2:28-29

And now, little children, remain in Him in order that when He should be revealed we should have boldness and we should not be made to feel shame from Him in His arrival.  If you all should have known that He is righteous, then you all that everyone who does righteousness has been born out of Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As John closes this section of verses, he gives us a very simple piece of advice.  If you want to be with Christ, remain in Him.  If you don’t want to feel shame when He comes back, stay with Him.  I might add, if you want to walk with God, stay in relationship with God every day.  If you want to live according to God’s ways, the easiest way to accomplish this is to make them a part of your daily walk.  Remain in Christ.  Abide in Christ.  Don’t come and go from Christ as your human desire tosses you around.  Instead stay with Christ every day and let Him be your anchor and guide.

How do you remain in Christ?  How do you abide in Christ?  How does staying close to Christ help you keep from feeling shame at the thought of His return?

Second Thought:

Notice that here again an author of the Bible makes a connection between faith and practice.  If we know that Christ is righteous, then we should do righteous things.  Faith should transmit into practice.  We should practice what we preach.  But you will notice what John connects to being born out of Christ: those who do.  Faith should lead to action.  In fact, genuine action out of faith is the proof and evidence that we are that we are born out of Christ.  We do not act in order to be saved – that is works based salvation.  But we do righteousness because we have been saved and the faith within has transformed our being.

How good are you at putting your faith into practice?  Where are you easily faithful in your life?  Where does the world creep in and you get distracted from righteousness?

Third Thought:

Before we end, I want to talk more about the expression “born out of Him.”  There are many practical applications of these words.  However, I think the most meaningful for me is the perspective of belonging.  If I am born of God, then God is my Father.  He is my parent.  I am a part of His family.  I might not be perfect, but I have a place in Him.  When we talk about being born out of God, it is an inherent claim of lineage and belonging.

Why is it comforting to know that you can be born out of God?  Do you always feel born out of God?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 John 3:1-3