Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 81st. Edition.
Dear Partakers of the Divine Nature,
Today’s passage (1 John 2:28-29) concludes the discussion started earlier on abiding. Remaining Results in Confidence (v. 28). Jesus left all of us a task (Acts 1:8). Witnessing can only be effective if our lives are a testimony of transformation. This is achieved when we remain (abide) in him.
If we are sidetracked by worldly things, we become like the servant who buried his talent (Matthew 25:24-30), or the five foolish virgins who did not carry enough oil for their lamps (Matthew 25:1-13). Imagine the shame of being found in the middle of some sinful exercise, when the Lord returns.
Righteousness that Yields Confirmation (v. 29). One of the dangers of sinful living is the doubt and confusion it brings about. We all know people, maybe even ourselves, who have “got saved” many times. What happens is that when a person falls into sin, it grieves (makes very sad) the Spirit of God in us (Ephesians 4:30). This presents no small problem because it is the Spirit in us who “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). When the Spirit is grieving our sin, he is not at the same time confirming to us that we are children of God, is he?
Even if he did, we would not hear him, distracted as we would be, by our sinful pursuits. In contrast, living in righteousness produces in us the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and this acts as a constant reminder to us that we are in Him and therefore his children.
If you begin to have doubts about your salvation, it is time for a rain check. Are you abiding?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.