In the previous lesson, John said, “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.” In the verses around that 24th verse1 it is as though John took his readers on a walk through their spiritual past. “Look here, look there. Remember this event. Look at that experience. In the midst of those things, you found God’s truths. They ministered to you, and in important ways led you from your old life to the new. Rest there.” Said another way, “Stick with what originally hit home.”
The theme of “abide in him” was also in the last lesson’s 27th verse. Abidingly that theme carries on into the 28th verse.
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. (1 John 2:28–ESV)
Confidence at the return of Christ
In this 28th verse, John steps forward to another vantage point: Confidence when Christ comes back. The way that the followers of Christ had been living was the way of truth. If these people leave that way of life and walk falsely, they do so to their shame.
God does have a way that he expects his followers to live just like we do for our children. When we as parents go out to dinner alone, the kids do not have license to do whatever enters their heads. They still may, of course, but they face at least embarrassment if not punishment or shame when we return, open the door and uncover their deeds. [Read more…] about I John 2:28-3:3 – How do we avoid shame? Abide in Christ.