OUR HOPE
OUR HOPE
1 JOHN 2:28–3:3
Every Christian who lives in the expectation of Christ’s return will make an honest attempt to live in a Christlike manner.
It is of little importance whether someone has much or little knowledge of Christ, whether their spiritual growth has been fast or slow. If they are abiding in Christ, the Spirit of Christ (see 1 Peter 1:11) is doing his transforming work in them, and such a person will welcome the returning Christ with all the simplicity of a child. It is Christians who have chosen their own way that will “shrink from him in shame” (2:28), for the emptiness of their character will have become apparent at once. In 2:29; 3:7, we have one of the most important principles of the Christian life. We can teach correct doctrine to a parrot, but correct life comes only from the Holy Spirit.
Through our misunderstanding of the use of Father for God (see 2:22), we have largely lost the thrill of being able to say “Father” to God. “Children of God” (3:1) reflects Hebrew thought and implies that we reveal his character. We have become so hypnotized by correctness of doctrine that we fail to remember that it is correctness of life that matters. Since the world did not understand the Son of God, we cannot expect it to understand his sons and daughters, see John 15:18f.; Matthew 10:24f. There are very few who can predict the development of a child simply by looking at the child; so it is with Christians. There is little point in speculating about the transformed resurrection body; what is important is that we will be like him, “like God in Christ” (Westcott), of the same nature. No wonder the one who has not allowed the Holy Spirit to do his work “will shrink from him in shame.”
No one can purify themselves in the first place. That must be done by Christ as we trust in him. But once we have been purified we can keep away from what we know will defile us. Little children hauled out of a coal bunker cannot clean themselves up, but can keep away from coal in future. No wonder John can extol the love of the Father. Those who have really been gripped by this hope are not likely to be worried by worldliness. The glory of Christ causes the best human dreams to grow pale.
Thought If you do not want to be like Christ, be assured that his likeness will never be forced on you.