How should we live in the present, which is between the past and the future?
We, who have already been buried with Jesus in the cross and have died to sin (Rom. 6:4-5), should live in the present within the context that when Jesus comes to this world, we will be transformed suddenly, becoming people without sin, until Jesus comes (1 Cor. 15:51, Phil. 3:21, 1 Jn. 3:2).
In the present, how should we live in the Lord?
We should live by practicing righteousness (1 Jn. 2:29).
We, who have been justified by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 4:25), should always practice righteousness as those who have become righteous (v. 25).
We must always act in accordance with the teachings of the indwelling Holy Spirit [which means living in the Lord (1 Jn. 2:28)].
Practicing righteousness means seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33).
Practicing righteousness means seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33).
We must seek the kingdom of God and the righteous Jesus Christ, who is the King of that kingdom. In other words, we must act as the righteous Jesus Christ does (1 Jn. 2:1) according to His deeds (v. 6). As those who live in Jesus Christ, we must live and act as He does (v. 6), which means obeying and living according to Jesus Christ's twofold commandment (vv. 7-11). Those who love their brothers according to Jesus Christ's twofold commandment have truly had God's love perfected in them (v. 5), so there is nothing in them that can cause offense (v. 10).