DEVOTIONAL
THE REFUGE
John, the apostle, an elder of the church, seeks to strengthen a church that has been infiltrated by false teachers who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ. He commends those who haven’t been lead astray by these false converts, to persevere in the truth that he himself had taught some of them. He wants them to know that there is a time marked out in human history, a time held only in the secret counsel of God’s infinite wisdom, when The Lord will send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, back to redeem all who have put their faith in Him for the redemption of their souls. Concerning this appearance John talks about, The Lord Jesus, being fully God himself and yet clothed in the frailty of human flesh, showing a roll of submission to the Father, says in Mark chapter 13 verses 32 and 33, “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”
Therefore John, the beloved of Jesus Christ, appeals to this young church, “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” John truly loved those whom were called by the Lord into such a great salvation, he longed for them to abide in Christ, upholding all of His commandments, and honoring Him with a heart of worship. John was at the cross when Jesus gave His life, he saw Jesus with his own eyes, he touched Him with his own hands, and he was there after Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended into His eternal kingdom. John had the visual imagery of Christ sufferings imprinted in the back of his memory, such images that could never be removed; Jesus covered in blood, the tears of suffering streaming down His face, His body torn asunder from the scourging covered with the spittle of His own creation. John wants these young Christians to understand the love of Christ which surpasses all understanding so they will long to live a life of holiness, not being moved by the temptations they face each day.
The apostle John offers them a wondrous hope, a hope that all believers of Christ today can rest in. That is, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Rest assured beloved of God, that one day Christ will appear at the appointed times set by the Father, and all who have called upon His name will be saved. What a glorious day that will be, to cast our physical eyes upon Jesus Christ for the very first time; To gaze upon His glory for eternity as we enter into an eternal rest free from all sin, guilt, suffering, and sickness. But for now my brothers and sisters, while we are waiting on this wondrous hope, be steadfast in the work of the Lord, abounding in His love, upholding the commands of His word, and patiently endure the struggles of this life with all faithfulness.
“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”
1 John 2:28 NASBS