Lesson 7: Live Deeply in Christ
1 John 2:28-3:10 (ESV) - www.bible.com/bible/59/1jn.2

God’s Words:
“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.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”

My words:
Dear Returning King, Thank You for the promise You will be returning to earth soon! I’m so looking forward to seeing You, being changed to be like You, and rising through the clouds with You to live forever in Your Home – Heaven. I want to live deeply in You and to practice righteousness so I’m always ready for You to appear. I am overwhelmed when I remember I’m Your child! What amazing love You have for me. Because You love me so, I’m encouraged to obey You and to stay pure – ready for You to come back at any moment. Thank You, my Savior, for winning the victory over the one who began practicing sin, the devil, once and for all. Because of Your victory, I don’t practice sin when I’m living deeply in You. As Your child, You have given me Your righteousness and love.
In Your amazing grace, amen.

*How does the fact Jesus is coming back soon affect the way you live today?