No shame

1 John 2:28 (NLT)
28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

The apostle writes to those who have placed their faith in Christ. He does so in an endearing way referring to them as dear children. They were to remain in fellowship with Christ so they would not falter in shame.

 

 

The quality of your life will be determined by the amount of time you spend alone with God in reading, praying, and planning. [Annie Ortlund, Today's Christian Woman, "Heart to Heart."]

Just as with any relationship it is important to spend time with the person you want to be close to. When we spend time alone with Christ, reading his word, praying honestly with our heart and listening closely -- we are in fellowship with Christ.

I have a friend who drank, fought, cussed and did many other unsavory things. Then he learned about the love of Christ. He learned Christ wanted a different life for him. So he surrendered himself to Christ and asked Christ to help him change. As he learned about Christ’s love for him and how Christ wanted a relationship with him he changed. He gave up the old habits and adopted the habits of his friend Jesus. Romans 12:2 tells us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This man had a genuine desire to be like Christ as he grew in his relationship with Christ.

You see as my friend walked with Christ he didn’t want to participate in his old ways any longer. Instead he wanted to be more like his new friend Jesus. He knew being like his friend Jesus there would be no shame in things he did.