God’s Word of Love
Introduction
1 John 2:18-29: The writer argues that true followers of Jesus won’t be misled by false teachings because they know the truth as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to obey the Spirit’s teaching and remain in union with Christ.
Scripture Reading
The Enemy of Christ
18My children, the end is near! You were told that the Enemy of Christ would come; and now many enemies of Christ have already appeared, and so we know that the end is near. 19These people really did not belong to our fellowship, and that is why they left us; if they had belonged to our fellowship, they would have stayed with us. But they left so that it might be clear that none of them really belonged to us.
20But you have had the Holy Spirit poured out on you by Christ, and so all of you know the truth. 21I write you, then, not because you do not know the truth; instead, it is because you do know it, and you also know that no lie ever comes from the truth.
22Who, then, is the liar? It is those who say that Jesus is not the Messiah. Such people are the Enemy of Christ—they reject both the Father and the Son. 23For those who reject the Son reject also the Father; those who accept the Son have the Father also.
24Be sure, then, to keep in your hearts the message you heard from the beginning. If you keep that message, then you will always live in union with the Son and the Father. 25And this is what Christ himself promised to give us—eternal life.
26I am writing this to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27But as for you, Christ has poured out his Spirit on you. As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For his Spirit teaches you about everything, and what he teaches is true, not false. Obey the Spirit’s teaching, then, and remain in union with Christ.
28Yes, my children, remain in union with him, so that when he appears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the Day he comes. 29You know that Christ is righteous; you should know, then, that everyone who does what is right is God’s child.
Today’s Key Verse: 1 John 2:29
You know that Christ is righteous; you should know, then, that everyone who does what is right is God’s child.
Reflect
According to this passage, who are the enemies of Christ? Are there people who deny Christ today? What does being God’s child mean to you?
Pray
Holy Spirit, make me ever mindful of the promises of Christ. Teach me the ways to live in union with Christ, to obey his teachings, and do what is right. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
1 John 3:1-24: All who are loved by God are called God’s children.