Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
On the other hand, look at the other person John describes, the one who will find himself appearing before the great Judge of all the earth at His coming. He is "ashamed." Vincent says, "The expression is peculiar. Literally, ’be ashamed from Him.’ The fundamental thought is that of separation and shrinking from God through the shame of conscious guilt" (342). What a picture of the condemned sinner, shrinking back in shame before the judgment bar! John advises his "little children" to so live that when that time arrives, they will not shrink in fear but stand in confidence before the Lord. He offers a tremendous motivation for living right: Jesus is coming again! Paul says that we should "look for" His coming (Hebrews 9:28) if we want "salvation," and we must "love His appearing" if we want the "crown of righteousness" that He will give "at that day" (2 Timothy 4:8). When the parents are away from home, the children "look" with eagerness to their return if they have been obedient to their parents’ wishes; otherwise, it is not a gladly anticipated event. Christians look forward with great expectation to the promised return of the Lord if they have been faithful to His will. John implores his "children," and us, to be ready, waiting, and looking with confidence to that day.