ABIDE IN HIM

24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. John 2:18-23 (NKJV)

The majority of Biblical Scholars agree that the John who writes this Epistle is the same St. John who wrote the fourth Gospel. This is the eighth of a series of Devotions on the First Epistle of John. Previous devotions can be found in the Archives. It is my hope that as we meditate on St. John’s Epistle, where the keynote is Love, that together we can grow in our Love of God.

St. John continues to emphasize living in the love of Christ and to retain the belief of what they have heard from the beginning. It is important to consider what is meant by "what you heard from the BEGINNING." When we study the Bible, we sometimes forget a very basic fact that Jesus has taught. "You cannot say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." That being true, then the first things we heard were taught to us by the Holy Spirit.

St. John makes another strong statement, "You do not need that anyone teach you." This is powerful if you accept this statement and act on it. Each person who invites the Holy Spirit into his or her life has the same teacher. The Holy Spirit does not teach the clergy more than the laity. He does not teach one gender, race, age group, or intelligence level more or less than another.

Abide in Him. If you listen to one who teaches, be sure that the teacher is rooted in the truth received from the Holy Spirit. Make sure that teacher lives a life that exhibits a love of God. Those who seek to deceive you will use bits of truth that seek to cover the lies they wish to teach to you.

Abide in Him. Each day pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pray to receive His teaching. Pray to receive His Guidance in your need to separate the truth of God from the deceit of Satan.

Abide in Him that when Christ returns you will stand with confidence and not tremble in shame.

WE PRAY: Lord, send your Holy Spirit upon me that He will teach me your ways day after day. AMEN.

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION.

Make time for Bible Reading and talking to God on a daily basis. The more you read or hear His Word, the more you talk with God, the more His teachings and His Love become a part of your life.