October 31: Confidence at His Coming

John calls believers to abide in Christ so that they may have confidence when He appears. The return of Jesus will expose every false refuge, hidden motive, and empty profession. Yet for those who remain in Him, His coming is not merely a threat — it is the arrival of their Savior.

Abiding does not mean anxiously holding onto Jesus through perfect performance. It means continuing to trust His gospel, depend upon His Spirit, obey His Word, and return to Him in repentance.

Those who have been born of God increasingly practice righteousness. Good works do not cause the new birth; they reveal its transforming power. An apple tree bears apples because it is alive. In the same way, believers pursue righteousness because God has given them new life in Christ.

Jesus endured our judgment at His first coming so that we could welcome Him with confidence at His second. Our hope is not that we have lived perfectly, but that we belong to the Righteous One.

ONE TRUTH TO BEHOLD
Because Christ bore our judgment, those who abide in Him may await His return with confidence.

ONE TRUTH TO BECOME
Become a person whose hope in Christ’s return produces faithful, righteous living today.

ONE QUESTION TO MEDITATE ON
What would I change today if I lived with joyful awareness that Jesus is coming again?

CLOSING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, keep me abiding in You. Make me faithful while I wait and prepare my heart to welcome Your appearing with joy. Amen.