A Purifying Hope

by George Prasher, Manchester, England | Category: The Lord's Coming | Dec 1995

If He shall be manifested, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him even as He is (1 John 3:2).

The Lord Jesus will be manifested to all who have received Him as Saviour when He comes to the air to take us to Himself. Then we shall be like Him, we shall see Him. Thrilling thought! Grasped by faith this truth becomes to us a daily source of spiritual power. As the apostle John goes on to say, 'Every one that hath this hope set on Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure'. Knowing His

purity, the thought that perhaps today we shall see Him face to face stirs us to purify ourselves. Does the heart tend to slacken in standards of holiness? If so, the very thought of the soon return of the Master quickens afresh the desire to purify our ways according to His word. 'Abide in Him; that, if He shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming'. When this is a real factor in our spiritual experience it has a powerfully sanctifying effect. Much spiritual weakness may be traced to lack of vigilance as to standards of holiness. Sin tolerated by the believer leads to a run-down condition. As a battery is flat when a 'short' has drained the current, so a Christian's spiritual strength for service is depleted when known sin is indulged. Faith's genuine expectation of the Lord's return leads to daily searching of heart in the spirit of the Psalmist who cried, 'Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts' (139:23).

Girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13).

The whole outlook of the disciple, of the Lord Jesus is to be conditioned by the thought of the grace to be brought to us when He is revealed. In John's epistle we read of having this hope set on Him; in Peter's epistle we are to set our hope on the inspiring prospect at His return. How imperfectly we tend to do this! What results if we do set our hope perfectly on that coming revelation? Our lives are ordered in proper perspective. Our priorities are right. We reckon the things that are seen for what they are worth in God's estimation, and place higher value on the eternal though unseen things. This becomes to us a further source of spiritual strength. Instead of diverting our energies to much which might naturally attract or entertain us, we appreciate the seriousness of our present brief opportunity of Christian service, and give the Lord's things highest priority. Our lives as a consequence will be purged of much that would otherwise hinder full spiritual growth and usefulness.

To see our lives in the perspective of the day when He shall be revealed will also bring power to endure reproach for Him. Peter was among those who rejoiced 'that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name' (Acts 5:41). Why this joy and readiness to suffer? Because of their lively appreciation that their exalted Master would in due course be revealed in glory. The Lord Jesus has been rejected by this world, and to witness for Him still brings reproach. The great hope of His coming revelation in glory will inspire fresh courage in all who would not witness for Him:

'Every one who shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God' (Luke 12:8). He has promised:

Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to each man according as his work is (Rev. 22:12).

Three times in the last chapter of the Bible this challenging promise of the Lord's return is repeated. The example chosen from verse 12 may be read in connection with verse 11, where a strong contrast is presented between those choosing unrighteousness and filthiness and those choosing righteousness and holiness. The Christian today must learn to judge the lowered standards of the world around him in the light of the holy standards of God's Word. He must firmly reject what the Scriptures reveal as unrighteous and unholy, however widely others may conform to such things. Does this call for moral courage? Then what more strengthening source of power can we draw from than the truth of His coming? For when He comes, His reward will be with Him, to render to each man according as His work is. Salutary thought indeed! Then will the counsels of the heart be manifest (1 Cor. 4:5); then will each man's work be made manifest, for the day shall declare it (1 Cor. 3:13). To live in the light of that day will greatly strengthen the disciple in spiritual conflict.

Shine too, 0 Hope, in purifying splendour!

Illume my soul amid earth's squalid night,

Cleanse from defilement service I would render,

That unashamed I hail Thy presence bright.

Cecil Belton

George Prasher, Manchester, England | Dec 1995
The Lord's Coming