You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
1 John 2:28-29
28 And [kai] now [nun], little children [teknion], abide [meno] in [en] him [autos]; that [hina], when [hotan] he shall appear [phaneroo], we may have [echo] confidence [parrhesia], and [kai] not [me] be ashamed [aischuno] before [apo] him [autos] at [en] his [autos] coming [parousia]. 29 If [ean] ye know [eido] that [hoti] he is [esti] righteous [dikaios], ye know [ginosko] that [hoti] every one [pas] that doeth [poieo] righteousness [dikaiosune] is born [gennao] of [ek] him [autos]. KJV-Interlinear 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. NASB
First, it is not for us to evaluate anyone else but ourselves. Second, we can observe the behavior of others, and we can use that to determine whether we wish to have a relationship with them, either for business or friendship, or perhaps more intimate relationships, or merely having them as an acquaintance. But that is as far as our rights go. We have no right to criticize, or gossip against someone, or judge them, or have anything to do with them when we interact with others. To do so would be a violation of that persons privacy rights and that is a sin. You can either have a relationship with someone, or if you do not want to be associated with them, then simply don't. You have no right to discuss that person with anyone else.
A person can be saved, but their spiritual life does not stop there. God is righteous and He follows up that manifestation with His actions. Likewise a person may be saved, even in fellowship, but their life must be one of habitual thoughts and actions which manifest themselves in their pattern of life which is consistent with that which God teaches in the Bible.
A no time or part time Christian is not what God has in mind. The spiritual life is not a mere convenience in order to appease God from time to time.
There is one overriding truth regarding life as well. We will all die or otherwise leave this world one day. There will be a Rapture. And when that day occurs, we will all stand before Christ for our evaluation. The evaluation of our life. The only evaluation which will ever count.
Now knowing that God has expectations of you, and knowing that you will either comply with them or you won't, will end up in one of two possible responses in you, when you face Christ.
If you comply with Gods mandates and grow up spiritually to maturity, then you will stand there with confidence. It will be obvious to all. Your soul will be bulging with spiritual muscle.
If, however you choose to ignore your spiritual obligations, then you will be like the little child caught in the dark doing something that you are not supposed to be doing. And shame, or better worded, tremendous embarrassment will over take you. You will stand there before Christ, with all to see, and you will have nothing. It will be obvious that you were not obedient. The results of your spiritual growth (partial or none at all) will be there for all to see. Then the reality of your stupidity will only then set in to your soul.
John ends this chapter telling you that you have no excuse. For you know what is expected of you. It only remains for you to decide if Gods commands for your life are important enough to you, to make you get with a daily study program. For very few, this will happen.
For many, the spiritual life is just not that important. They expect immediate benefit now and that does not occur in life. Why do you suppose John call us all 'children?' Most folks live their entire lives with little or no expectation of the 'good' life. They merely wait for God to bring them home and then they wait for eternity to begin in their lives.
God does not negotiate. God is not a genie. God does not need you in order for His plan to succeed. You are here courtesy of His grace only and for no other reason. You deserve nothing. You can earn nothing. Only your arrogance can make you think that you are entitled to something.
The facts of life are hard. You were born into this world to glorify God only and for no other reason. Beyond that you are nothing more than the dust of the earth, 'adam,' worthless red dust. Too many folks believe that they are really more than that. So they expect more. And failure will be their ultimate reward.
You have a chance to live a life in obedience to Gods rules. And He asks only that you do that which you should do anyway.
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End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
