The Energising Hope That Leads To Purity - Part 1

And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself as He is pure. 1 John 3:3

What an exciting time to be alive! We are about to receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken! (Heb 12:28). A kingdom demonstrated in Jesus’ transfiguration on the mount (Matt 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36). Meditate on that glorious event. Here we see Jesus, the last Adam, clothed in Heavenly glory and fellowshipping with saints that lived on the earth some thousands of years earlier. We see Him discussing with Moses and Elijah the very plans and purposes of Almighty God. Here we see Jesus, the firstborn among many brethren, demonstrating what it is to be manifest as a son of God on earth ... while also present in heavenly Jerusalem among the spirits of just men made perfect! (Heb 12:22-24). What we see in the transfiguration on the mount is the kingdom of God coming with power.

And this awesome glorification will be the portion of those who are eagerly looking for the appearing of Christ – not to bear sin this time – but to deliver full salvation!

... unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb 9:28

... we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2

That which creation has been groaning for; that which our spirits groan for is about to happen! We who are Christ’s are about to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; the sons of God are about to be manifest on the earth! (Rom 8:18-23; 2 Cor 5:1-5). Our longing is soon to be fulfilled – we are about to be transfigured into who we really are!

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 1 Cor 15:49

This hope that Christ will soon appear, in and through those that are His, has inspired the elect throughout the ages to purify and consecrate and separate themselves unto holiness (1 John 3:2-3). After all, our Lord and Saviour is pure and holy and those that would be consumed by His burning presence do “cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor 7:1). This hope, this vision, this upward call of God in Christ Jesus is our motivation for living a crucified life – as regards the flesh, the world, and the devil. 

... one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14

Everyone who has this living hope – of Christ's soon appearing and the full manifestation of His kingdom – finds dynamic motivation for embracing His purifying fire. Hallelujah!