Today I want us to consider something common but very interesting in the bible. The text before us is common not only to Christians but also to some unbelievers. It's common because everyone, whether as a theist or an atheist have this notion of eternity. Whether they believe in heaven and hell or not, it's a matter worth discussion.
Christians have a certain hope that one day they will meet with God in eternity. We all believe in the resurrection of the dead and know that one day, everyone will stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give account of what was done in the body.
It's a very interesting thing to know that this event which is probably the greatest event in the whole of humanity is unscheduled. There's no date or appointed time and it's the reason why no one can come as a prophet to throw dust into your eyes that the Lord is coming this hour or this day. In fact that should be a litmus test for their authenticity. Jesus said in Matthew concerning this that
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44, ESV)
So we know from these verses and other couple of verses in Matthew 24 that God will come like a thief. No theif announces where and when he will come. As Christians this doesn't put any fear on us. It doesn't discourage us in anyway. But rather changes us. With this in mind, we behave differently from those in the world.
Let's open to 1 John 3. In this verse we see that those who have the hope of the coming of Christ do one thing. Amongst all the busyness that they find themselves in, there's one thing that is remarkable. That's that they purify themselves. Hence I will agree with John MacArthur who said anticipation leads to purification.
And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:3, ESV)
As I have explained in my previous post, there are some things that are to be considered as the product of salvation. One of which is the desire for purification. It's a blessing we receive from salvation. There is no Christian who has NO desire for perfection. Although he can not be perfect in this body, he has it stamped on his eyes. Eternity is right before him like he sees his image in a mirror. Eternity is always real to him. He has the cross before him and the world behind him.
And with this in mind, "what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness," (2 Peter 3:11, ESV). This is the question that Peter is asking the church. "the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved", (2 Peter 3:10-11, ESV), what manner of men are we supposed to be?
Isn't this enough to keep us from the world? Should wealth and happiness in this world keep us from purifying ourlseves ? But what do I mean by purifying ourlseves? Isn't it the work of the Holy Ghost? Yes it is. But we will do it. How can it be the work of the Holy Ghost and still involve us? This is a very common question that I hear most Christians ask. Salvation is of the Lord. But sanctification is performed by both the Lord and the Christian. The Holy Ghost will work through us. We will have to obey His word for this sanctification. We will have to yield to the supernatural working power of God. And that's what it means to purify ourselves.
It is the work of every Christian. No one is exceptional. And it is because of the hope that's set before us that motivates us to do this. God won't surprise any Christian but rather the world. Although He's coming as a theif, we will also be prepared for His Coming. That's why we have to to purify ourselves now. He can come now. No one knows the hour or the day. .
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