The Life That Leads To Confidence At Jesus’ Judgment Seat (Part One)

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. John says to us, 28 “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. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1 John 2:28-29). Anyone familiar with John 13-16 or 1 John knows of the theme of abiding in Christ. Believers are called to abide, live, or remain in Christ. This speaks of discipleship (experience), not position. In other words, the way in which a believer abides is by allowing God’s Word to take up residence in his life. His mind is renewed rather than conformed to the world (Romans 12:2). This results in transformation of life. Clearly the command to abide in Him refers to perseverance until Christ returns. The coming of Christ is specifically mentioned by John. The believer must allow the truth of God to abide in them and thus they will be able to abide in the Son and in the Father (1 John 2:24-27). Because of the following words, “at His coming” the “abide in Him” is in reference to the Son. For the first time in the letter, John speaks of the coming of Jesus and the need to be ready to stand before Him with “confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame.” John indicates that there will be shame on the part of those believers who have not been abiding in Christ and are, therefore, fruitless and empty-handed. But those who have been abiding in Christ and are fruitful will not be ashamed when Christ comes for us. Ashamed means to be embarrassed and uncomfortable. It’s the opposite of being confident. Being ashamed at His coming points to realizing that they have lived worldly, unfruitful lives. In one moment, the understanding will overwhelm them that whatever else they accomplished in life, they did not abide in Him as they could have. A confident person does not feel shame. Such an experience in the presence of Jesus at His review of our lives is an experience to be earnestly desired! Be encouraged!