0339. THE PURIFYING HOPE.

THE PURIFYING HOPE.

1Jn_3:2-3.

1. What is this hope? It is the hope of-

1. His appearing. "We know that when He shall appear." He will come again according to His promise (Joh_14:3). "Christ, who is our life, shall appear" (Col_3:4).

2. Being like Him. "We shall be like Him." This mortal shall put on immortality. "Our vile body shall be fashioned like unto His glorious body" (Php_3:21).

3. Seeing Him. "We shall see Him as He is." "I will behold Thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I awake in Thy likeness" (Psa_17:15). "Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face" (1Co_13:12). What a bright and glorious prospect!

2. What is the effect of this hope? "He that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself even as He is pure." There is-

1. Personal purity. "Purifieth himself." This sure and blessed hope constrains to voluntary purity. It is intensely practical (1Jn_3:5), as all real faith is.

2. Purity after His example. "As He is pure." He willingly separated Himself unto God for the joy that was set before Him. Be ye holy, for I am holy. I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Those who look for His coming will long to live like Him, that there be no shame before Him at His appearing (1Jn_2:28).

3. Purity as an evidence of faith. Every man that hath this hope purifieth himself. If a man is not seeking to purify himself, it is clear that this hope is not in him, there is no faith in the coming Saviour. "Dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves" (2Co_7:1).

Autor: James Smith