Monday, December 18
Read 1 John 3:1-6
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [Christ] is pure” (v. 3).
It is easy to become discouraged when it can seem so long since Christ ascended leaving us with the promise that He would come again. Many times Christians are taunted by the world for believing in such an old promise. The fact is that we, much like Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-40), aren’t believing in an old promise but in an ever-present Promise Giver. This is the reason for the discipline and effort that the Christian must make to be made pure “even as he is pure.” We must live our lives every day with the awareness that His coming is imminent and we must be ready.
I had a close family member that suffered a major heart attack and needed a heart transplant. While waiting for that to happen, he would have some very rough days. He was unable to participate in some activities, eat some foods, and visit some places. His life style had to be altered to be a candidate for that procedure. He often commented that he could tolerate these trials because he would get a new heart someday and be able to get back to a full life.
We must be willing to change our lives now because of the hope of what is yet to come. (Tim Brubeck)
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness” (Edward Mote).