Daily Devotional
Word of the Day
Greatest Contributor to Holiness
Pastor Scott
Thursday, February 26, 2004
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"...But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
(1 John 2:2-3)
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not" (1 John 3:1). You see whether or not you're in right standing with God by whether or not you're in right standing with the world. If you're "one of the boys," then you don't belong to the kingdom of light. If everyone can embrace you at work, in the neighborhood and you're "politically correct," then you're not part of the kingdom of God. John said you can tell you're a son of God by how the world receives you and how you embrace its ideologies and philosophies.
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). Are you living momentarily expecting the Lord's presence? If you are, it changes the course of your life. You're not all caught up with cares and all the anxieties. You understand that you're a sojourner just passing through. Nothing in this life is really what it's all about; it's about preparation for the coming of the Lord.
"...And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:3). If you believe the Lord's return is imminent, immutable, and sure, then you make decisions for eternity and not for the moment. Your decisions, whether they are vocational or responding to interpersonal relationships, are made with the understanding that it can change in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The doctrine of the blessed hope is the greatest contributor to holiness. It's not how hard you try. It doesn't have to do with whether or not there's enough time in prayer and study. It doesn't have to do with self-discipline and somehow having to pull yourself away from the cares of this world. If you believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ, you'll live a holy life. It will absolutely provide all of the external motivation that's necessary.
How many of you, like myself, need external motivation? Are you so totally disciplined and internally motivated that you need nothing external? I think all of us need the externals. We all need to understand that there are benefits and consequences to all of our actions. We're not directed by absolutely pure, internal motives. "Every man that has this hope will purify himself." The hope of being like Jesus and seeing Him will bring about the motivation to purify ourselves. We're going to see Him and be like Him! Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. The blessed hope is an exciting doctrine!
"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not [is not dominated by sin]: whosoever sinneth [is dominated by sin] hath not seen him, neither known him" (1 John 3:6). If you don't have an excitement about the return of the Lord, then sin is dominating your life. If there's not anticipation and an excitement, then sin is dominating your life. You cannot be walking free, purifying yourself as He is pure, living in an expectation, and also be under the dominion of sin in your life.