Abiding in Christ: Confidence and Hope at His Return

Devotional

Day 1: Abiding in Christ Produces Righteousness

Abiding in Christ is not about striving harder or perfecting ourselves through our own efforts, but about staying deeply connected to Jesus, the true source of spiritual life. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains attached to the vine, so too our lives are transformed not by our own production, but by our connection to Christ. When we abide in Him, His life flows into us, producing the righteousness, love, and obedience we long to see. This connection frees us from the pressure of self-generated holiness and invites us into a life where Christ Himself shapes us from the inside out. [01:04:46]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been striving to “produce fruit” on your own? How can you intentionally shift your focus today from self-effort to simply abiding in Christ?

Day 2: Our New Birth Anchors Our Identity as God’s Children

The love that God has for us is unlike any love we find in the world—it is not earned by our performance, but freely given through new birth in Christ. When we trust in Jesus, we are made children of God, not by our own merit but by His grace. This identity is secure and unshakeable, even when the world misunderstands or rejects us. Knowing that we are God’s beloved children gives us confidence, not shame, as we look forward to Christ’s return, because our belonging is rooted in His love, not our achievements. [01:10:46]

1 John 3:1 (ESV)
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

Reflection: When you consider your identity, do you find yourself more influenced by the world’s approval or by God’s declaration that you are His child? What is one way you can remind yourself today that you are deeply loved and accepted by the Father?

Day 3: Future Hope Purifies Our Present Life

The promise that we will one day see Jesus and be made like Him is not just a distant hope—it is a powerful force that shapes how we live right now. This hope draws us toward purity, not out of fear or obligation, but out of a desire to align our lives with the One we are waiting for. As we set our hearts on the certainty of our future transformation, that vision begins to reshape our present, motivating us to pursue Christlikeness today. Our hope in Christ’s return is not passive; it actively purifies and directs our lives toward Him. [01:18:01]

1 John 3:2-3 (ESV)
"Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to let your hope in seeing Jesus shape your choices, habits, or attitudes?

Day 4: Confidence at Christ’s Return Comes from Belonging, Not Performance

Many of us instinctively fear Christ’s return because we are aware of our shortcomings and inconsistencies, but true confidence is not found in our perfection—it is found in belonging to Jesus. When we abide in Him, He produces righteousness in us, and that righteousness is evidence of our new birth and secure identity. Our assurance for the future is not based on what we have accomplished, but on who we belong to, and the more we remain in Christ, the more His return becomes a source of longing rather than fear. [01:22:27]

1 John 2:28-29 (ESV)
"And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him."

Reflection: When you think about Christ’s return, do you feel more fear or anticipation? How might focusing on your relationship with Jesus—rather than your performance—change your perspective today?

Day 5: Generosity Flows from Experiencing the Grace of Christ

True generosity is not about the amount we give, but about the posture of our hearts in response to the grace we have received in Christ. When we remember that Jesus, though rich, became poor for our sake so that we might become rich in Him, our giving becomes an overflow of gratitude and love. Like the Macedonian churches, even in times of difficulty, we are moved to share and support others, not out of obligation, but as a joyful response to the gospel and the generous life of Christ within us. [33:37]

2 Corinthians 8:1-4, 7-9 (ESV)
"We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints... But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."

Reflection: How does remembering Christ’s sacrificial generosity toward you inspire you to give—whether your time, resources, or love—joyfully and freely this week?

Sermon Summary

Generosity is not just a duty, but a response to the overwhelming grace of God. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he pointed to the Macedonian churches, who, despite their poverty, overflowed with generosity because they had experienced the grace of Christ. Their giving was not about the amount, but about the posture of their hearts—a posture shaped by the gospel, by the reality that Jesus, though rich, became poor for our sake. Our own giving, then, is not merely about supporting the church, but about responding to the love God has shown us in Christ.

Turning to 1 John, we find a beautiful promise: if we abide in Christ, we can have confidence at His appearing, rather than shrinking back in shame. Many of us feel a tension when we think about Christ’s return. We long for His presence, but we’re also aware of our failures and inconsistencies. Like a dog who is both excited and ashamed when her owner returns, we can feel both longing and fear. John understands this tension and offers assurance: abiding in Christ is the key to confidence, not our own efforts or righteousness.

Jesus, in John 15, teaches that we are branches and He is the vine. Fruitfulness—righteousness, love, obedience—does not come from our striving, but from staying connected to Him. Righteousness is not something we manufacture for God; it is something He produces in us as we abide in Him. This is freeing, because it means our confidence is not rooted in our performance, but in our connection to Christ.

John goes further: the evidence of righteousness in our lives is proof of new birth, not the cause of it. If we see even small signs of transformation, it is the life of God at work in us. This new birth means we are children of God, loved with a love that is not earned, but given. The world may not understand or affirm us, but our identity is secure in God’s love and adoption.

Finally, John reminds us that our future is secure: when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. This hope is not just for the future; it purifies us now. The promise of transformation draws us to pursue Christ today, not out of fear, but out of longing. Our confidence at His coming is not based on what we have accomplished, but on who we belong to. As we abide in Christ, His life shapes ours, and His return becomes something we long for, not something we fear.

Key Takeaways

1. Abiding in Christ produces true righteousness Righteousness is not the result of our own striving, but the natural outcome of staying connected to Jesus. Like branches drawing life from the vine, we bear fruit as we abide in Him. This frees us from the exhausting cycle of self-effort and shame, and invites us into a life of dependence and trust. [64:46]
2. Our identity as God’s children is secure Being a child of God is not something we earn by our performance, but a gift given through new birth. This identity is rooted in God’s otherworldly love, which is not triggered by our goodness but flows from His. Even when the world misunderstands or rejects us, our belonging in God’s family remains unshakable. [70:46]
3. Future hope transforms present living The promise that we will be like Christ when He appears is not just a distant comfort, but a present power. This hope purifies us, not by burdening us with more to do, but by drawing us toward the One we will become like. Our longing for Christ’s return shapes our desires and actions today, making us more like Him as we wait. [78:01]
4. Confidence at Christ’s return comes from abiding, not achieving We often fear Christ’s return because we know our imperfections. But John teaches that confidence is not found in our spiritual track record, but in our ongoing connection to Christ. As we abide in Him, He produces in us what we could never achieve on our own, and we can look forward to His appearing with joy rather than dread. [82:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:37] - The Heart of Generosity
[52:16] - A Story About Waiting and Longing
[55:05] - The Tension of Longing and Shame
[58:03] - Our Mixed Feelings About Christ’s Return
[59:17] - John’s Assurance: Abide for Confidence
[60:49] - How Abiding Leads to Confidence
[62:58] - Righteousness Flows from Connection
[64:46] - The Branch and the Vine
[66:43] - Righteousness as Evidence of New Birth
[68:57] - The Source of Spiritual Fruit
[70:46] - The Otherworldly Love of God
[72:48] - Identity in God vs. the World
[75:27] - The Promise of Future Transformation
[78:01] - Hope That Purifies
[79:29] - Letting Future Hope Shape Today
[82:27] - Confidence Rooted in Abiding
[84:47] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[85:33] - Prayer and Invitation to Respond

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading
- 1 John 2:28–3:3 (ESV)
> And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

- John 15:4–5 (ESV)
> Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

- 2 Corinthians 8:1–9 (ESV)
> We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints... For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Observation Questions

In 1 John 2:28–3:3, what promise does John give to those who “abide in Christ” when Jesus appears? What is the difference between confidence and shame at His coming? [59:17]
According to John 15:4–5, what is the relationship between the branch and the vine? What does Jesus say is necessary for fruitfulness? [01:04:46]
In 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, what motivated the Macedonian churches to give generously, even in their poverty? [33:37]
What does John say is the evidence that someone has been “born of God”? [01:06:43]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think John uses the image of “abiding” to describe the Christian life? What does it mean practically to “abide in Christ” rather than just trying harder to be good? [01:04:46]
The sermon compared our feelings about Christ’s return to a dog’s mixed excitement and shame when her owner comes home. Why do believers sometimes feel both longing and fear about Jesus’ return? [55:05]
How does understanding our identity as God’s children, given by His love and not by our performance, change the way we view ourselves and our relationship with God? [01:10:46]
The sermon said that “righteousness is not something we manufacture for God; it is something He produces in us as we abide in Him.” How does this challenge the way we usually think about spiritual growth? [01:04:46]

Application Questions

The Macedonian churches gave generously not because they had a lot, but because they had experienced God’s grace. When you think about your own giving—of time, money, or energy—what usually motivates you? Is it duty, guilt, or gratitude for God’s grace? How could your motivation change? [33:37]
The sermon talked about the tension we feel when we think about Christ’s return—both longing and fear. When you imagine Jesus coming back, what emotions come up for you? Are there areas of your life where you feel like you would “shrink back in shame”? What would it look like to bring those to Jesus? [58:03]
Abiding in Christ means staying connected to Him, like a branch to a vine. What are some practical ways you can focus on connection with Jesus this week, rather than just trying to “do better”? Is there a habit or practice you want to try or return to? [01:04:46]
The sermon said that even small signs of transformation in our lives are evidence of God’s work, not our own effort. Can you think of a recent example where you noticed growth or change in yourself? How can you celebrate that as God’s work in you? [01:08:57]
John says our identity as God’s children is secure, even if the world doesn’t understand or affirm us. Are there places in your life where you feel pressure to earn love or approval? How does knowing you are already loved and adopted by God help you face those situations? [01:12:48]
The hope of being like Christ when He appears is meant to “purify” us now. Is there a specific area of your life where you want to grow in Christlikeness? How can the hope of future transformation motivate you to pursue change today—not out of fear, but out of longing? [01:18:01]
The sermon challenged us to move from “trying harder” to “abiding.” Is there a specific area where you’ve been relying on your own effort instead of depending on Jesus? What would it look like to shift from striving to abiding in that area? [01:24:47]

Sermon Clips

Honestly, that's not too far off from how a lot of us imagine our experience is going to be when Jesus comes back. You know, I think honestly, we long for his presence, you know, and we sing a lot of these songs that we genuinely believe we want him to return and to make things right and we want his peace and we want his kingdom. But there's this other part of us, this part that like knows our track record while he was gone, this part of us that kind of knows our inconsistencies, maybe remembers some of the messes that we've made, the sins we still wrestle with, and we hear Jesus is coming back and then instinctively we kind of step backward a little bit. [00:57:54] (45 seconds) #LongingWithDoubt

Your present imperfection doesn't disqualify your future transformation. You don't have to be the finished product now—I mean surely none of us are even close. You just have to belong to him. And children grow into the likeness of the one who gave them life. [01:16:34] (20 seconds) #BelongingNotAccomplishment

When John tells us to abide in Christ so that we can have confidence at his appearing, he's not trying to make us anxious. He's just acknowledging something true about us—that when we think of Jesus returning, sometimes our instinct is to shrink back because we know our weaknesses and we know the inconsistency of our obedience. We know the places where shame still clings to us, and if confidence depended on our performance, then shrinking back would make perfect sense. But John is showing us another way: that confidence doesn't come from being perfect. It just comes from staying close to the one who is. [01:22:57] (33 seconds)

Our confidence at his coming isn't rooted in what we've accomplished. It's rooted in who we belong to. And the more that we abide in Christ day by day and step by step, the more his life shapes ours, and the more his life shapes ours, the more his return will become something that we long for instead of something that we fear. [01:23:57] (16 seconds)

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