PROVISION FOR PROTECTION "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things . . . But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 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. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 John 2:20,27-29 -- Tomorrow:
NOT SHRINK FROM HIM IN SHAME
"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."
Speaking through John, the Spirit has urged us to "abide" in the Son. This involves turning away from distracting and competitive influences – whatever they may be (1 John 2:15). It requires a certain sensitivity to Divine direction that is only possible when our affection is set on things above, and not on things on the earth (Col 3:1-2). Those who are delivering a health and wealth gospel to the people are disarming them. They are closing the door of sensitivity, and anchoring people to the transitory. They are also betraying their own inordinate attachment to a world that has been cursed – destined to "fall and not rise again" (Isa 24:20)!
Likewise, those who offer a Gospel that does not require diligence, consistency, and the necessity of crucifying the flesh, are backing people into a corner from which they will not be able to extricate themselves.
I say these things because when the Lord appears in all of His glory, not a single one of these things will remain. The entire natural order – the heaven and the earth – will "pass away" (Mk 13:31), fleeing from before the face of the glorified Christ (Rev 20:11). How will health and wealth appear at that time? How will an emphasis on this present world sound then? Then – when Jesus comes again – what will be the response of those who have settled down in this world, satisfied, at best, with small portions of spiritual food and little involvement with the living God? I contend that a person must, of necessity, be a fool to be unable to answer these questions.
When Adam and Eve sinned, transgressing the commandment of God, they "hid themselves from the presence of the Lord" when "they heard the voice of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen 3:8).
That was only a very small token of the reaction of those failing to abide in Christ when our Lord returns. When those once placed into Christ fail to abide in Him, a chasm begins to form between them and the Lord – all contradicting theologies notwithstanding. This is so because their union with Him is by faith, and is only as strong as their faith. However, not only does a chasm form between the person and the Lord, a certain hostility against, and fear before, the Lord also begins to develop. But all of this remains unnoticeable to the withdrawing person, because sin has anaesthetized both the heart and conscience.
However, when the Lord "appears," that dulness will suddenly be shattered, and the neglecting soul will become acutely aware of the enmity that exists between him and the Lord. The word "ashamed" includes the idea of public disgrace, and an open acknowledgment of defeat. Language is not capable of conveying the measure of shame and disgrace that will be found in those who did not "abide in Him," when Jesus "appears." It will be something from which recovery will not be possible, for such will be consumed by Christ's wrath. As it is written, "when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed" (2 Thess 1:7-10).
All of the doctrines that taught men they could "neglect so great salvation," and still be saved in the end, will go up like a puff of smoke. A stark realization of lostness will grip such souls as they confront the Lord they neglected. There is no way to describe the fear and trembling that will fall upon such souls.
Those who determine NOT to be ashamed in that day have done well. Those who do not make this determination have NOT done well – in anything. God has provided "the anointing" to see to it that they rejoice at the appearing of their Lord, rather than shrink from Him in shame and disgrace. God is greatly to be praised for providing a daily way to "keep us from falling." We carry about in us a well of living water that constantly refreshes and prepares us. But the redeemed of the Lord must draw water from the wells of salvation is they are to profit from them (Isa 12:3)! That is involved in abiding in Him.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the prospect of being to see Jesus return, rather than shrinking back from Him in shame.