1 John 2:28-29 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence… I. THE EVENT REFERRED TO, FOR WHICH PREPARATION IS TO BE MADE, IS THE COMING OF CHRIST — that we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him, at His coming. II. THE DUTY HERE ENJOINED, THAT OF ABIDING IN CHRIST. What is it to abide in Christ? To speak of one as abiding in Christ implies that he is already in Him; if any man be in Christ he is a new creature. And surely in the great day of the Lord's coming we shall need something to rest upon as a ground of confidence firmer and more abiding than anything the world can afford us. 1. Abiding in Christ we shall have no fear of condemnation in the day of His final coming. For we are assured there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. 2. Abiding in Christ you may feel assured, when summoned into His presence at the last day, that you have a friend in your judge, an advocate and intercessor; and having chosen Him as your Saviour, you can securely leave your cause in His hand, in firm confidence that all will be well with you forever. 3. Abiding in Christ, His promise is given, His truth pledged, that all your dearest interests are safe for eternity. III. REASONS OR MOTIVES WHICH ENFORCE THE DUTY of abiding in Christ, and so having confidence when He shall appear. 1. Let it be impressed on your mind that His coming to judge the world is an absolute certainty. 2. To enforce still further the duty we are considering, let me remind you again of the august and solemn scenes connected with the coming of Christ to judge the world. 3. Christ is presented in His gospel as an all-sufficient Saviour; and abiding in Him, you may rest assured that you will be able to witness the scenes of the last day with perfect peace. 4. Security amid those scenes can be derived from no other source. (J. Hawes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. |
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