2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Ones,
When we keep in mind that John was writing this book to encourage early church believers to avoid the temptation presented by Gnosticism to turn from their faith, one message comes through above all others. That is to obey the teachings of the Holy Spirit. Today’s passage is 1JN 2: 24-29 in which this issue is taken up. “Be 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. And this is what Christ Himself promised to give us-eternal life. I am writing this to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But as for you, Christ has poured out His Spirit on you. For His Spirit remains within 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. Yes, 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. You know that Christ is righteous; you should know, then, that everyone who does what is right is God’s child.”
The first part of this message is to continue in the faith professed. RO 11: 22 uses the example of traditional Jews who rejected Christ and suffered the consequences of being “broken off” from the cultivated olive tree to be replaced by branches of a wild olive tree “grafted in “[see RO 11: 17]. “Here we see how kind and how severe God is. He is severe toward those who have fallen, but kind to you-if you continue in His kindness. But if you do not, you too will be broken off.” The cultivated olive tree in this marvelous metaphor are the Jews who came to faith. The wild olive branches represent Gentiles who come to faith. Being “broken off,” as the Jews who rejected Christ were, is a negative consequence of unbelief that John does not want to see the recipients of his letter suffer. PHIL 2 :12-13 is clear direction from Christ Himself (related by Paul) on the subject of holding to one’s faith. “So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed Me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey Me now while I am away. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey His own purpose.” If there was ever any question about God’s purpose for the faithful, it is surely clarified by COL 1: 22-23. “By means of Christ’s Atonement, God has made you His friends, in order to bring you holy, pure, and faultless into His presence.” This is further amplified by COL 2: 6, “Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with Him.”
Being confident in faith is something the true believer is equipped to do. Long ago, David expressed this kind of faith in PS 27: 13-14. “I know that I will live to see the Lord’s goodness in this present life. Trust in the Lord. Have faith and do not despair. Trust in the Lord.” Paul expressed it in 2 COR 5: 6-9, “We can have courage if we leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord in spirit. We make our life as matter of faith, not of sight. Our first priority is to please the Lord.” He again makes this point in EPH 3: 12, “In union with Christ and through our faith in Him, we have boldness to go into God’s presence with all confidence.” The same is true for PHIL 1: 6, “And so I’m sure that God Who began this good work in you will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus."
We have no reason if our faith is real to be unashamed of it. These next three citations demonstrate that. MK 8: 38, “If a person is ashamed of Me and of My teaching in this godless and wicked day, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” RO 1: 16 [Paul speaking], “I have complete confidence in the Gospel; it is God’s power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles.” The advice Paul gives in 2 TIM 2: 15 is precious and vital to us all. “Do your best to win full approval in God’s sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God’s truth.”
The Holy Spirit is such a wonderful presence in our lives. God knew that we would be faced with all kinds of temptations generated by the adversary to break our bond with Christ; and in His loving kindness and compassion for us, He has made provision for our protection. Does this mean that we can never walk away from our faith? No, it doesn’t if we are foolish enough to use no discernment in exercising our free agency. But, it does mean that if we listen to the Spirit within us, study God’s word, have an active prayer life, and pay careful attention to the lessons of our circumstances, we do have the power to endure in our faith, please God, and eventually be ready for the Day when Christ comes for us.
PRAYER: O Lord, You love us so much that You have caused the Holy Spirit to be indwelt in us. This is the Spirit Who grants us discernment, teaches us to understand Your Scriptures, prompts us to make decisions that are in keeping with Your will, watches out for our best interests, and makes us hungry for Your direction. If we trust You and obey what the Spirit directs us to do, we can look forward to eternal joy and fellowship with You and joint-inheritance of the Kingdom with Your Son. We dedicate ourselves to recognizing this wonderful Gift that You have given us. You are a loving and responsible Abba Who deserves nothing less than our total adoration, worship, obedience, trust, faith, and praise. We glorify You, O Lord, and stand in readiness to do Your bidding at whatever time You appoint. Our faith in You is a treasure to be held tightly in our hearts no matter what effort the adversary makes to thwart it. In Christ’s name, amen.
Be blessed today and always, Dear Ones. Our Father in heaven has given us His Son to die on the cross for us and the Spirit to guide and teach us His ways. Those are Gifts only a Father Who loves us can or will give. Never feel abandoned in the face of evil. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn