Bits and Pieces: Hope

"Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, if He should appear, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And every one who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure," (I John 3:2,3).

* Throughout Scripture the appearing of the Lord Jesus is connected with watchfulness, preparedness, and personal purity on the part of His disciples. Our Savior's imminent return should motivate us to holy conduct and godliness. For when our hope is really fixed on the pure and spotless Lamb of God, our life-styles will reflect readiness for His return.

* When considering the imminent return of the Lord Jesus, too often we are so consumed with its prophetic significance, we forget the moral implications. His soon-coming should spur us to pure and godly life-styles. Even more than an event, our hope is placed on a Person --- the pure and spotless Lamb of God.

* The apostle John puts the point of his pen on an oft-neglected aspect of the Lord's return--- how it should affect our personal purity. In our concern for chronology and prophetic correctness, we can miss the moral implications of His appearing. If our hope is genuinely placed on the spotless Son of God, then our lives ought to reflect eternal priorities of holiness and godliness.