The apostles wrote to fight the deceptive times they were living in. Jesus, before ascending to heaven, commissioned them to go and make disciples. As they did so, the intensity of the lie threatened the faithful. In 1 John we read the words he wrote to strengthen the believers. He writes where to live, the promise for which they live and the anointing under which they live.
Where to Live
First he tells them where to live. “Abide in the Son and in the Father.” This new life is hiding with Christ in God. It is living in the things heard at the beginning, truths which the Spirit worked in their hearts to make new creations in Christ. These truths must become home, the place in which the soul abides. Jesus came to save sinners, He is the way, the truth and the life, and He is coming back to receive His own. These truths must be the Christian’s home.
The Promise
Secondly he writes of the promise. “This is the promise.” Jesus promised eternal life. Live in the promise. Hold on to it. Don’t let anyone deceive you. It is a rock solid truth for it came from the mouth of Jesus. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” He is truth. Believers cling to the words of Jesus.
The Anointing
The third point of which he writes is the anointing. He tells them it came from God and lives within the believer. He writes, “You don’t need anyone to teach you.” “The anointing teaches you about all things.” “It is true and is not a lie.” You have the Holy Spirit, who is the seal of God’s truth within. Abide in Him. Then when Jesus returns there will be nothing to be ashamed of. He is righteous. The person who practices right living and loves his brother thereby shows he is a child of God.
John writes to the family of God, who face deceptive times about where to live, the promise for which they live and the anointing under which they live.
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