How does hope in Christ motivate us to live a sanctified life? The Anchor Text “Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3 Seeing the Hope Clearly • Christ will appear—literally, bodily, gloriously. • We will see Him “as He is,” no veil, no distance. • In that moment we will “be like Him,” fully conformed to His purity and glory. • This promised future is not wishful thinking; it is guaranteed by the same Lord who rose from the dead. Hope Fuels Holiness John ties future certainty to present conduct: hope → purification. Here’s how that inner engine works: • Identity alignment: knowing we will look like Jesus then leads us to live like Jesus now. • Loving anticipation: genuine longing for His face makes sin feel foreign, even distasteful. • Practical preparation: like a bride readying for the wedding day, believers ready hearts, habits, and bodies. • Spirit-energized resolve: the Holy Spirit uses the promise of Christ’s return to stir new strength for godly choices. Echoes from the Rest of Scripture • Titus 2:11-14—“while we wait for the blessed hope…He gave Himself…to purify for Himself a people zealous for good deeds.” • 1 Peter 1:13-16—“set your hope fully on the grace…be holy in all your conduct.” • Philippians 3:20-21—“we eagerly await a Savior…who will transform our lowly bodies.” • 2 Corinthians 7:1—“having these promises…let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement.” Across the New Testament, confident expectation of Christ’s return consistently produces earnest pursuit of purity. Day-to-Day Ways Hope Shapes Us 1. Guarding the mind • Feed on Scripture more than headlines. • Let passages about His coming recalibrate priorities. 2. Choosing holiness over habit • When temptation whispers, recall the face you’ll soon see. • Evaluate entertainment, speech, and relationships by the standard of that impending meeting. 3. Serving with joy • Every unseen act of faithfulness will be rewarded when He appears (1 Corinthians 4:5). 4. Loving one another • The family traits of heaven—kindness, forgiveness, sacrificial care—become practice sessions for eternity. 5. Holding possessions loosely • Future glory shrinks present trinkets; generosity flows more freely. Guarding the Flame of Hope • Stay anchored in prophetic passages—Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 4, Revelation 21-22. • Gather with believers who talk often of His return (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper; it proclaims His death “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). • Keep short accounts with sin; quick confession keeps the outlook clear (1 John 1:9). • Sing about eternity; truth set to melody lodges firmly in the heart. Living Today for the Day We See Him Hope in Christ is not passive daydreaming; it is an active catalyst. The same eyes that will one day behold His glory choose, moment by moment, to reject impurity and reflect His character. Gripped by the certainty of that coming day, we live distinct, radiant, sanctified lives today—because “everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” |
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