Episode Details

(Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash)

Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.

In Lesson 70, we are going to study the fourth and final part of 1 John 2:28.

Let’s read this part of the verse.

1 John 2:28…and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

Let’s define the words.

Not (3361. mé) — means “no” or “never.”

Be ashamed (153. aischunó) — means to feel shame or disgrace, as if dishonored before others. It carries the sense of shrinking back in embarrassment.

Before (575. apo) — means “from” or “away from.” In this verse, it refers to pulling back or shrinking away from Jesus because of fear or shame.

Him (846. autos) — refers to Jesus Christ Himself.

At (1722. en) (846. autos) — means being present at.

His Coming (3952. parousia) — means “presence” or “arrival.” In the New Testament, it points to Jesus’ return, when He will come back in person, be with His people, and bring judgment.

In other words, John is urging believers not to shrink back in shame when Jesus returns, but to stand before Him with boldness and confidence.

This confidence comes from abiding in Christ now, walking closely with Him, so that His return will be a moment of joy, not fear.

Let’s read all of 1 John 2:28, so you can better understand the context of what we will be studying in this lesson.

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

When Christ returns, every believer will appear before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

The Judgment Seat is not about condemning sin, since that was already dealt with on the cross. Instead, it’s about evaluating our works and determining rewards based on faithfulness and service to Him.

Everything a believer has done will be revealed. Those who have built their lives on the foundation of Christ will stand with confidence and will receive rewards.

If a believer’s works are not rooted in Christ, those unfruitful works will be exposed, resulting in loss and regret.

1 John 2:28 teaches that when believers abide in Christ, they will stand before Him with confidence and will not shrink back in shame at His coming. This verse shows that our relationship with Christ now directly affects how we experience the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Let’s take a look at some verses that teach us about the Judgment Seat of Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul uses an illustration to show us that the works of believers will be tested by fire to reveal their true quality. Unfruitful works are like wood, hay, or straw, which are easily burned up. In contrast, works built on the foundation of Christ are like gold, silver, and precious stones, lasting and able to endure t