"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you,

and you have no need that anyone should teach you.

But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true,

and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 

And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink back from him in shame at his coming.”

1 John 3:28

Advent is the season we meditate and pray about the second coming of Christ. It is our yearly reminder that this world will be fixed, our lives will be fixed, and evil will cease when Jesus’ world wide rule begins.

This will really bring “Joy to the World,” but there seems to be two groups that will recoil when he comes. As I said on Sunday, the first group are those who reject Him as king and who will “mourn.” And the second group in 1 John 3:28 (noted above) we see some believers that will “shrink back” not out of rejecting Jesus, but shame. Shame for ignoring Him. Shame for taking forgiveness, but rejecting faithfulness. 

Are they saved? 

Yes, I think the language in John’s letter suggests that they are saved, but to be sure he calls them to “abide in Him.” 

Live in Him. Talk to Him. Stop ignoring Him. He is there

According to verse 29, “The anointing you received in Him abides in you” and “his anointing teaches you about everything.” By the Holy Spirit, He is there when you pay attention to Him and when you don’t. But He is there. All day. Bring to him your stress, sadness, conflicts, and short comings. 

The Christians who will shrink back will shrink back in the same way you might when you see an old friend or family member that you have burned or rejected. With shame you try to hide. The ones referred to in this verse are likely church going people who chose going through the church motions rather than fellowshipping with God.

When we as Christinas get caught here it is usually out of some disappointment, disillusionment, tragedy or pain. It happens when we feel God did not keep his side of the bargain. It happens when we forget that Christianity is based on grace, not religion. It could also be some unrepentant indulgence in a destructive behavior or streak of self-sufficiency that will cause shame when he returns.

But the good news is that he is there.

Holding out his wounded hands.

In the scars we can see his tragedy, suffering, disillusionment and pain. 

He suffers too. With us and for us. 

If you look at the wounds for a bit more you will find forgiveness and satisfaction for sin. You will experience anointing. You will see (and maybe feel) pure love…for you.

This Advent let us return with great repentance to Him again.

Let’s go to Him with joy as we will when he returns.