“Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

It seems to be a possibility that there will be believers in Christ who will suffer some embarrassment at His glorious return to fully bring in the kingdom of God. We are again remonstrated with to remain in good standing with the Lord. We are again reminded that we are but little children, waiting on the good pleasure of a beloved Father in heaven. The relationship could not be warmer and the closeness of our walk with God brings Him and us daily delight. We are finished with sin and walk in the light of the Word as our daily devotion to our Lord and God. We wish to please the Lord and do nothing out of bad motives or attitudes, but to obey His loving commandments, given for our strength and goodness.

Yet, there is this situation where some of the children of God will not be living their holy lives when He returns for them and therefore they will suffer some loss, some embarrassment and a feeling of shame that they are not quite what they should be. The Scripture does speak of some who will be saved by the smallest of margins or by the skin of their teeth.

“If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.”

1 Corinthians 3:15

This Scripture indicates that there will be those who are saved from the consequences of sin and hell, but will suffer the loss of work done for God, which is not sanctified to Him. The loss of a life not lived with right motives or close attention to the details of the commandments. These Christians will have nothing to present to their Lord and no works of goodness that are good enough for His glory, indeed we’re not carried out for His glory but only self. We must remain in the doctrines of the faith and stay away from things that lead us into error, heresy or disobedience to the Lord.

We need to remain faithful to the commandments no matter what it costs us in this life, that we may gain an inheritance in the coming kingdom that will not fade away or be destroyed by the refiners fire.

It would not be good to be found living an unholy life when the Lord returns for us, so we keep ourselves in the love of God and be always conscious of that coming day, which will happen soon. How wonderful to be found ready for the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is surely coming for His bride – the people of God. What joy we will experience to be waiting for Him in such hope and expectation every day. How close we would be to His heart and what power we would have to overcome the trials of life.

Beloved, let us not be found wanting, but full of love, faith and hope as we wait for our coming King. As we live for Him we will experience a life of holy boldness lived for the glory of Jesus or Lord. When we hear the trumpet sound that will herald His return, we will be glad and rise to meet Him in the air with courage and great joy.