Jack Hibbs: The Reality Of Jesus’s Soon Return Has A Purifying Power
1 John 3:2-3 reads, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure”
The reality of Jesus’s soon return is a purifying power in the Christian’s life. Practically speaking, that means living a transformed life that is passionate for Christ and militant toward defeating the temptations and sinful allurements that face every generation of believers. Our love for Christ’s return is the best accelerant for having a hot heart toward God.
Trusting Christ and being ready to meet Him is a great motivator to avoid unhealthy living, questionable conduct, and secret sin. If we love Jesus and if we love His coming, we will embrace His power to avoid the sins that so easily beset us.
To the church at Sardis, Jesus said, “Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain” (Revelation 3:2). That admonition was echoed by the apostle Paul when he encouraged the believers at Ephesus to be “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful” (Ephesians 6:18).
It is of the utmost importance that in every aspect of our Christian walk we are not lazy or lackadaisical, but watchful. In the original Greek language, the word “watch” means to be in a state of preparedness or to be alert. Watchfulness necessitates exercising a strong discipline over the affairs of our life, as we look for the soon return of our Lord. Let us never grow inwardly complacent in what we deem minor sins, as if there were such a thing.
Our hope has a sure foundation—Jesus is coming! But until that day, may we aim to be just like Him.
