“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.” (1 John 2:24-25 ESV)
Believing the gospel is a lifelong commitment. While justification is an instantaneous act of God at the moment of conversion, the faith that justifies continues and deepens until one reaches glory. As you continue to cling to the truth in faith, the truth “you heard from the beginning” abides in you. In this passage, John is again appealing to the origin of the faith to establish its reliability.
Matthew Henry comments,
Truth is older than error. The truth concerning Christ, that was at first delivered to the saints, is not to be exchanged for novelties. So sure were the apostles of the truth of what they had delivered concerning Christ, and from him, that after all their toils and sufferings they were not willing to relinquish it. The Christian truth may plead antiquity, and be recommended thereby.
John’s audience was facing false teachers who were promoting “novelties” that distorted the gospel, and he was compelled to remind them of the truth that had been delivered to them. He charged them to not just believe it, but for it to abide in them. The abiding of truth within the believer is not just an intellectual matter but a profoundly spiritual one. John says that if the truth abides in you, “you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.” What you believe determines your spiritual state, both now and in eternity. If anyone separates himself from the truth, he is separated from God. John appeals to his readers to reject the Christ-deniers and their teachings, lest they forfeit their souls.
The truth that saves is also attended by promises. Among these is the promise that the believer will inherit eternal life. This is so central to the gospel that it can seem unnecessary to reiterate. However, when faced with false teaching and the empty promises of a temporal world, we need to be reminded of just what is at stake. The Christian life is one of self-denial in this world in anticipation of infinitely greater pleasures ahead. The world, the flesh, and the devil offer every imaginable pleasure now, only to give nothing both disappointment and despair.
Eternal life is more than an abstract reality, though it can seem like such at times during our earthly pilgrimage. Eternal life is more than just the removal of sin and its effects, though at times that can be the most tangible desire of our hearts. It is more than just a reunion with believing loved ones who have gone on ahead, though our hearts deeply yearn for such joy. Eternal life, in its fullest sense, is to dwell with God forever (Revelation 2:3).
The treasure of believers is not an angelic existence of floating around on clouds, but personal, perpetual, and intimate communion with their Savior for all eternity. John impresses this on the minds and hearts of his audience because they, and we, need reminded of what awaits the Christian.
The cares of this world, the temptations of sin, and the appeal of the promises of false teachers can all pull us away from the truth. But those who hold fast to the truth—those in whom the truth abides—receive the promise of eternal that God has made to us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You have promised eternal life to all who believe. Set our eyes on that heavenly inheritance that we may be strengthened to abide in the truth as we wait for the coming of the Lord.
In Jesus’, amen.
Prayer Requests:
- Tuesday: Pray for literacy ministry in The Gambia.
- Wednesday: Pray for the training of national pastors in East Asia.
- Thursday: Pray for the ministry of Vita Nova as they serve and restore survivors of exploitation in the Czech Republic.
- Friday: Pray for the ministry and staff of the Japan Bible Academy in Tokyo.
- Saturday: Pray for the medical missions team at the Hospital of Hope in Togo.
- Sunday: Pray for New Life Church in Lima, Peru.
- Monday: Pray for 7 Rivers Outreach as they provide foster homes in a rural Zulu community in South Africa.
Featured Opportunity to Serve:
Healthcare Personnel
Location: Bangladesh
A variety of medical personnel, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, and physical therapists are urgently needed to serve at our partner hospital, Memorial Christian Hospital, in Bangladesh. Both short-term and long-term opportunities are available.
