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Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 70, we are going to study the fourth and final part of 1 John 2:28.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 2:28…and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
Let’s define the words.
Not (3361. mé) — means “no” or “never.”
Be ashamed (153. aischunó) — means to feel shame or disgrace, as if dishonored before others. It carries the sense of shrinking back in embarrassment.
Before (575. apo) — means “from” or “away from.” In this verse, it refers to pulling back or shrinking away from Jesus because of fear or shame.
Him (846. autos) — refers to Jesus Christ Himself.
At (1722. en) (846. autos) — means being present at.
His Coming (3952. parousia) — means “presence” or “arrival.” In the New Testament, it points to Jesus’ return, when He will come back in person, be with His people, and bring judgment.
In other words, John is urging believers not to shrink back in shame when Jesus returns, but to stand before Him with boldness and confidence.
This confidence comes from abiding in Christ now, walking closely with Him, so that His return will be a moment of joy, not fear.
Let’s read all of 1 John 2:28, so you can better understand the context of what we will be studying in this lesson.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
When Christ returns, every believer will appear before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The Judgment Seat is not about condemning sin, since that was already dealt with on the cross. Instead, it’s about evaluating our works and determining rewards based on faithfulness and service to Him.
Everything a believer has done will be revealed. Those who have built their lives on the foundation of Christ will stand with confidence and will receive rewards.
If a believer’s works are not rooted in Christ, those unfruitful works will be exposed, resulting in loss and regret.
1 John 2:28 teaches that when believers abide in Christ, they will stand before Him with confidence and will not shrink back in shame at His coming. This verse shows that our relationship with Christ now directly affects how we experience the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Let’s take a look at some verses that teach us about the Judgment Seat of Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul uses an illustration to show us that the works of believers will be tested by fire to reveal their true quality. Unfruitful works are like wood, hay, or straw, which are easily burned up. In contrast, works built on the foundation of Christ are like gold, silver, and precious stones, lasting and able to endure the fire. This illustrates that the value of our labor depends on our connection to Christ. When we abide in Him, our lives are grounded in Christ, and our works flow from His strength. This produces lasting fruit that will stand the test of time and be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.
In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul teaches that every believer will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. We should strive to please God in everything we do, because our actions and choices have eternal significance. Works that flow from abiding in Christ will be rewarded and will endure the test at His appearing.
2 Corinthians 5:10 So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
In Romans 14:10-12, we learn that every believer will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, and each of us will give an account of our lives. When we abide in Christ, our words and actions are rooted in Him, giving us confidence and resulting in reward on that day.
Romans 14:10-12…For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
In conclusion, believers will one day stand before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ. John urges us to abide in Christ, so that when He appears we may stand before Him with confidence and not shrink back in shame.
Here are some of the key takeaways.
Build your life on Christ’s foundation. Unfruitful works are like wood, hay, or straw that will be burned up, but works rooted in Christ will endure and be rewarded.
Aspire to please God. Every choice and action in this life carries eternal significance, and one day each believer will receive what is due from Christ.
Abide in Christ daily. Since every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess, abiding in Christ now prepares us to give an account with confidence and joy at His coming.
Here’s a simple prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson.
Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me and giving me a firm foundation in You. Help me to abide in You each day, so that my life and works will honor You and last for eternity. Keep me from unfruitful works, and give me confidence to stand before You with joy and not shame at Your coming. Amen.
Let’s read our verse, one more time.
1 John 2:28…and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
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Listen to these lessons over and over again.
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
