“Remaining” In Christ to Avoid Shame at His Coming - 1 John 2:28

In verses 18-27, John explained that remaining in Christ is remaining in the body of Christ, convinced that Jesus is the Anointed One. This enduring belief is possible only by means of the Spirit who remains in the believer, leading the believer into all truth. Although the believer’s remaining is evidence of true faith, is there a purpose other than the identification of a true believer?

John writes one more verse on this topic of remaining. In verse 28, he tells his readers why they must remain in Christ. John begins this verse by addressing his readers as “little children.” As their spiritual father, John took the initiative to exhort them to remain in Christ, and to begin that remaining “now.”

John gently commanded his spiritual children to remain in Christ “so that” they could be bold and without shame when they meet Christ at His coming. John used a play on words to help his readers remember his command to remain in Christ. In Greek, he told them to remain in Christ so that they will have “parasia [boldness]” at the “parousia [coming] of Christ.”

Have you ever lost touch with someone due to your own lack of effort and then bumped into them unexpectedly? It’s a bit embarrassing. Can you imagine Knowing the Son of God, ignoring Him, and then meeting Him unexpectedly?

To remain in Christ is: to remain united to His body, to remain persuaded that He is and remains God, the Savior, to walk in his steps, to think as He thinks, and to be about doing His works. Would you be embarrassed to meet Him today or would you have “parasia” at His “parousia?” Would Your teens have that boldness, or have they been more into other things instead of remaining in Him? Be like John. Gently command your teens to remain in Christ today.