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Challenge: Take extra time this week to observe and interpret 1 John 3:19-20. How does our conscience condemn us? What does Romans 8:1-4 say about this? How do these truths affect what you believe about grace?
Today’s Scripture: 1 John 2:28-3:10 (S.O.A.P 1 John 2:28-29)
228 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. 29 Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.
3 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
4 Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.
7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life[a] is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
(S) I love the NLT version of this verse … And now, little children, remain in fellowship with Him [Christ] so that when He returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame.
(o) John’s point is that we are to “LIVE” (stay, remain, abide) in fellowship, or a right relationship with Christ – SO THAT – when He returns we won’t be afraid or ashamed but confident in His presence. Paul says something similar to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2;15, where he encourages him to be a hard worker, a good worker – so that when he/we are presented to God we will receive His approval and not be ashamed.
(A) Remaining in fellowship with Christ means remaining in fellowship with God and to do this means staying or abiding in the WORD. For only in spending time with Him do we gain knowledge of His character which in turn builds up our courage and confidence in the faith. When we are confident in Him – not only will be able to understand and explain the Word to others but we will know His grace, love, and mercy in a personal way that frees us from shame and fills us with courage!
(P) Father, help me to work diligently at this relationship – to remain in Christ/You, relieved of shame, and filled with courage so that when You return I will not Shrink back but walk before You in freedom and confidence.