Jesus' Appearing

“Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” —1 John 3:7–8

 

A contingency plan – the trapeze artist’s safety net, a baby’s bib, a baking sheet beneath a baking pie.  Jesus came to earth to do what – to destroy the works of the devil.  Trapeze artists fall, babies spit out their food, pies spill over the side – sin still besets man.  John wrote, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.” (1 John 2:1).  Here’s good news about Jesus’ coming to earth: “He came that we might not go on sinning; and he came to die so that there would be a propitiation—a substitutionary sacrifice that takes away the wrath of God—for our sins, if we do sin.” (John Piper, Good News of Great Joy).  It isn’t just any contingency (backup) plan – it’s divine purpose to move us more and more toward holy living as God is holy!  Let us rejoice in His glorious appearing!