1 John 2:24-29

1 John 2:24-29

One of the questions we need to answer is, “Where do you live?” Or, put another way, “Where is your home?” That place gives us a sense of security, a feeling of belonging, and a place from which we go out and face life and the challenges of each day. John uses a word more than any other Bible author that carries that meaning. The word he uses here and in his gospel account is “abide.” Literally it means remain. More than a “waiting room” kind of remaining, it is a “living in” sort of remaining. We may have lived in a place where we didn't feel welcome or at home. This is the opposite; this abiding is our place of belonging, our place of, if you will, “having arrived”. This is not abiding here on Earth nor a geography; it is being in relationship with God and having the truth.

It is interesting to note how John so easily shifts between referring to our abiding in the Father, Son, and Spirit and Their, abiding in us, in the person of the Holy Spirit. It is true that we are to stand before God in holy fear and reverence, but there is also a family sort of relationship going on here. The loving family and friendly relationship of people living together is the reality of our life with God, provided we live in, or abide in, what we are taught. No home will be harmonious if a member is stealing from the family to support a mistress or a drug habit. Our lives of holiness are neither to earn salvation nor to complete a list of rules we must live up to. Rather, holy living is loving living. It increases or grows as we mature in the family. We have been made holy and innocent by the death of Christ, and by the same grace we grow in personal holiness. When we live in what we have been taught, we can approach our meeting with God with confidence, humble confidence, but confidence all the same. Be that meeting in our death or in Christ's return.

One point regarding John's odd saying in verse 27, “You have no need to have anyone to teach you.” Does a disciple ever get to the point where they don't need to learn? No! What John is warning against are those who would add to the simple, beautiful message of the Gospel. These false teachers would say that the gospel needs something more to be useful and effective. Christ is all we need!

“Lord, Thank You that You are all I need. AMEN”.