1 John 2:28-29 ²⁸And now, little children, remain in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming. ²⁹Since you know that he is righteous, you know also that everyone who does righteousness has been born of him.

These verses provide a summary exhortation and further incentive for walking in the light of holiness. John addresses his readers with a different word for children (teknia) than verse 18 (paidia), but is the same as used in verses 1 and 12. The word typically denotes children on the younger side, but in this letter, it has more of the sense of close and caring relationship that a parent has with young children. John saw himself as responsible in some way for the spiritual development of his community. It is highly likely that he was old when he wrote this letter. Age brought respect, but even more so for the “Beloved Apostle,” the one who leaned on Jesus’ chest at the last supper, John must have been highly honored among early Christians. Even as this special apostle, John showed deep care and love for his readers, which is evident in how he addressed them in relational terms throughout the letter.

John repeats his central idea: be in a relationship of love, faith, and commitment to Jesus by abiding or remaining in him. The incentive is that when Jesus comes again, we do not want to be found naked and exposed in our shame. Shame at his return will result when we do not embrace and accept our shame before him now, when we sin but fail to confess this sin. We ignore the conviction that the Holy Spirit brings to our awareness, resulting in a hardened heart, experienced as a conscience that no longer feels the guilt and shame of sin but has become blinded to righteousness by the walking in darkness. The light of the truth has been ignored, resulting in shame before God. However, those stuck in the darkness may not feel this shame, but it will be exposed when Jesus comes as the judge of all.

We can have confidence before God by accepting Christ’s atoning sacrifice for our sins. Confidence (parrēsian) is similar in sound to the word for Jesus’ return or “appearance” (parousia). The word can also mean boldness, with nothing to fear, including punishment. The answer to fear of judgment is “perfect love” (4:18). Our consciences can be clear now, which will ensure our honor before God. Confidence comes to us now when we accept the Son’s righteousness as our own righteousness. We allow the Light of the world to enter our innermost beings, bringing forgiveness for our past and, through cleansing, removing the power and hold sin has over us. The result of inner cleansing is empowerment to walk in the light. Our character has been changed at the deepest part of us as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide, convict, and recreate our thoughts, values, and behaviors. The Holy Spirit will remind us of the teachings of Christ and help us embrace these teachings through obedience.

The sequence John has outlined in this letter so far becomes clear: sinning should cause us to seek forgiveness and cleansing, which are provided by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, empowering us to obey through God’s help and walk in the light, resulting in righteousness now and honor in the end. One of John’s primary goals for his readers is stated in verse 29: live in righteousness. He will pick up his second in the next verse.